chaos & capability is a material-based exploration of self-care and ritualistic practices with the Earth. Through a set of prompt cards, the user is invited to an intuitive dialogue with their surroundings while reflecting and mitigating their feelings on observed ecological changes. This project investigates the intersection of ecofeminism and dualistic monism by asking the question “How can we build a greater appreciation for feminine ways of being in order to benefit nature?”
[14 PROMPTS]
write a letter to mother.
seal it with moss.
growth makes noise;
weave the sound of the Earth.
your body is nature;
how do the elements shape you?
reflect upon a dream.
lay it to rest with a rock;
they will find resolution.
create a circle of dirt, establish roots within it.
follow water.
allow it to introduce you to its surroundings.
you are light.
seek that which grows towards you.
press your palm against moss.
describe the feeling.
loosen the cloak of nature until you are within it.
pull on the fibres of the Earth &
watch her unravel before you.
make amends with what resides
in the marks your feet have made.
nurture that which has nurtured you.
walk until your feet reflect the breath of the Earth.
mark the origins of the wind.
write a letter to mother.
seal it with moss.
growth makes noise;
weave the sound of the Earth.
your body is nature;
how do the elements shape you?
reflect upon a dream.
lay it to rest with a rock;
they will find resolution.
create a circle of dirt, establish roots within it.
follow water.
allow it to introduce you to its surroundings.
you are light.
seek that which grows towards you.
press your palm against moss.
describe the feeling.
loosen the cloak of nature until you are within it.
pull on the fibres of the Earth &
watch her unravel before you.
make amends with what resides
in the marks your feet have made.
nurture that which has nurtured you.
walk until your feet reflect the breath of the Earth.
mark the origins of the wind.
[THE RITUAL]
[begin]
a card is felt; chosen by chance.
words are marked, to be sacrificed to the elements.
to sacrifice is to offer; through earth, fire, water, air.
the found is woven; in commemoration.
[end]
[CONCEPTUALIZATION]
chaos & capability utilizes the principles of dualistic monism as a lens through which to intervene in an ecofeminist space. Through an imposed hierarchical organization, patriarchal structures have instigated an ideology of domination of both nature and women, rendering the geocosm inanimate and feminine characteristics undesired. chaos & capability acts as an antidote to this social phenomenon; creating a space in which intuition, care, and reciprocity are prioritized whilst in dialogue with nature. In learning how to embrace these feminine qualities through an embodied connection to the land, we understand that the body and nature act as mirrors, and that the two are not able to be separated. These teachings are conveyed through 14 prompts whose language fosters a space in which users must interact intuitively with nature. This creates a new type of relationship with the land; a relationship where we approach her with humility, appreciation, and trust. By deprioritizing egobased thinking, we remove the learned superiority of the human self in a natural space, allowing for moments of realization that come from a place of genuine openness and curiosity. These prompts provoke this unique mindset with the intention of challenging our socially imposed notions of the inanimacy of nature.
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chaos & capability is a continuation of thought from the project In Solace.
chaos & capability utilizes the principles of dualistic monism as a lens through which to intervene in an ecofeminist space. Through an imposed hierarchical organization, patriarchal structures have instigated an ideology of domination of both nature and women, rendering the geocosm inanimate and feminine characteristics undesired. chaos & capability acts as an antidote to this social phenomenon; creating a space in which intuition, care, and reciprocity are prioritized whilst in dialogue with nature. In learning how to embrace these feminine qualities through an embodied connection to the land, we understand that the body and nature act as mirrors, and that the two are not able to be separated. These teachings are conveyed through 14 prompts whose language fosters a space in which users must interact intuitively with nature. This creates a new type of relationship with the land; a relationship where we approach her with humility, appreciation, and trust. By deprioritizing egobased thinking, we remove the learned superiority of the human self in a natural space, allowing for moments of realization that come from a place of genuine openness and curiosity. These prompts provoke this unique mindset with the intention of challenging our socially imposed notions of the inanimacy of nature.
chaos & capability is a continuation of thought from the project In Solace.
[MAKING]
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chaos & capability is grounded in my place-based practice; the paper is made of Phormium Tenax, a fibrous plant from my garden which had not survived the winter frost. There are no additives in the processing of the Phornium Tenax paper and the prompts are printed using a water-based ink, rendering the final outcome biodegradable.
chaos & capability is grounded in my place-based practice; the paper is made of Phormium Tenax, a fibrous plant from my garden which had not survived the winter frost. There are no additives in the processing of the Phornium Tenax paper and the prompts are printed using a water-based ink, rendering the final outcome biodegradable.
Each prompt is embedded with a plant that acts as medicine for both the self and the land. For example; the paper for the prompt walk until your feet reflect the breath of the Earth is embedded with Yarrow: a plant that allows you to be more perceptive and attentive and to surrender to your presence here on Earth.
The textile (woven on the TC2 loom) has 14 sections of intentionally-placed floats in which plants found during the completion of the prompts are to be woven. When no prompts remain, the textile is complete and can be displayed as the user wishes.
[COMMUNITY]
The website chaosandcapability.com engages a larger audience and creates a sense of community around the prompts. It also functions as a submission platform, contains further project information and displays submitted prompts and photos.
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The website chaosandcapability.com engages a larger audience and creates a sense of community around the prompts. It also functions as a submission platform, contains further project information and displays submitted prompts and photos.
[GALLERY]
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