Body of Water: working alongside Nature
Working alongside Nature
As I’ve gotten older, spending more time sitting at a computer or in front of a screen, I realize how vital it is for my body and nervous system to be outdoors in nature. I experience this extreme wave of peaceful presence when I spend time in nature. I’ve try my best to take my lunch breaks outdoors, walk around and get fresh air but it doesn’t always feel enough. I desire to create art work that allows me to spend more time outdoors, encourage positive interactions with our bodies, and push conversations about working alongside our natural environment.
Body of Water
I want to give a bit of context and share what I’m learning about the relation between my body and nature. During my rabbit hole of research on the stars and sea, I came across the topic of new materialism theory which challenges the traditional assumptions about humans and the material world. From here I was exposed to many feminist theorist that discuss similar subtopics and what stuck out to me the most is transcorporeality, a concept developed by Professor Stacy Alaimo. I’m still learning and digesting this concept but ultimately it refers to the understanding that the human body is not a separate, enclosed entity but is deeply interconnected with and vulnerable to its environment.
Reading Alaimo’s work has prompted a lot of reflection on:
my developed habit to disassociate and ignore bodily sensations as a coping mechanism to mental health challenges. This year I’ve come to understand how critical it is to prioritize somatic awareness exercises (breath work, breathing as skill) and have begun working towards reframing the relationship between my mind, body, and nature.
the natural occurrences of salt and other minerals found on earth and within the human body. This interconnection is simultaneously scientific and symbolic. It’s all very grounding and poetic, which I love.
A body of water cries salty tears of the sea. Absorbs the light, breathes wind from the trees. Bones of limestone, covered in porous skin. A natural entity.