Listening To The Mother
1st installation of 12
June 21, 2022 - July 19, 2022
‘Unconditional’
As I walk into the forest on this small island on the pacific northwest coast, there is much to listen to. This first month of a 12 month immersion into the coast island forest is focused on listening quietly and getting to know the rhythms of the trees and the earth under my feet as I sit and begin the journey.
There is no script or plan of action. I sketch to listen beyond the verbal human world and underneath my meaning making mind.
Working in a slow and mindful way, allowing the piece that will be the first installation of 12 (at least) to intuitively come forward.
It all begins with a feeling for me, a call or a sense that there are murmurings of wisdom all around me.
Spending a chunk of time in the forest, alone, listening to the busy humm of nature and soaking in the slow wisdom, changes perspectives, priorities and appreciations.
While I have had that time and distance from the concrete world to ponder these epiphanies, I have been amazed how many hours go by when I think of nothing but the task at hand, lifting each piece into its new place, allowing new forms to emerge, with this “other” energy coursing through me as much as the mycelium beneath my feet.
Working into the details in the meeting of two directions is time consuming but so satisfying. The circles at the base of these two beautiful Douglas Firs are becoming one infinity symbol.
“The symbol for infinity that one sees most often is the lazy eight curve, technically called the lemniscate. This symbol was first used in a seventeenth century treatise on conic sections. It caught on quickly and was soon used to symbolize infinity or eternity in a variety of contexts.”
https://math.dartmouth.edu › Readers
For me in this context, I started with making a simple bridge between two giants acknowledging that they and everything of the forest are already connected through mycelium in their below ground “world wood web”.
We, simply walk around without connections to this network and often to our own ecosystems.
This project, this exploration is called “Listening to the Mother”
Connection is the key. Listening is the way. Creating is my way into this connection.
That was the idea behind the bridge I began. It quickly became a massive circle, more than a back-and-forth bridge, a continuous pathway of communication. The trees, the forest floor, the decomposition and creation around me and the circle called for more.T he infinity symbol seemed ready to take its place below and around these giant guardians and with this evolving piece, I hope they find my presence part of their incredibly beautiful world.
What can we find when creating in nature?
-trees
-stones
-plants
-berries
-fungi …
and we can also “find”
-awe
-breath
-patience
-inspiration
-light
-shadows
-life
-death
-fragrance
-community
-problem solving opportunities
-choices
-consequence
-encouragement
-possibility
and so much more…
It really depends on how and why you are stepping into nature and how deeply you are ready to open to all the wonder and challenges offered.
Listen
Open your heart
Meet what comes forward
