Lago Scuro Worship
In August of 2022 I was lucky enough to be accepted into Residence Lago Scuro, a self directed creative residency located in Northern Italy. This was a wonderful and creatively potent experience for me which focused on experimentation and creative whim. The work I produced centred around combining my love and interest with earth and community. My piece, titled Lago Scuro Worship is described below.
When first meeting Cascina Lago Scuro, one immediately notices the magnificent architecture. A 15th century monastery-turned farm and home. The church, ornately decorated, is now a space for children to play and storage. However, ritual and worship is not lacking on the farm. Relics of past residents are spoken about with love, a sculpture here, a mural there. The everyday workings of the farm, completed with intention and pleasure. These are beautiful rituals. This piece of work began as a study of innate characteristics of space. Elements or objects that create the emotion and atmosphere of the space, regardless of its built form or architecture. Using earth from the farm, these pieces capture the timeless and ever-present feelings of each space, in a temporary form. Objects collected from special spaces on the farm are embedded in earth candelabras, connecting a viewer with its original home. Walnuts and acorn shells are layered with left behind pottery found by the lake, highlighting the sedimentary, soft character of the space. On the other hand, the productive dairy is captured with hay and twine. The gathering space features charcoal and figs, evoking memories of sharing food and enjoying company by a fire. While the candelabras will crumble and fade into the landscape of objects scattered across the farm, the emotions that come with familiarity and nostalgia will remain in the minds that examine them. Using forms and aesthetic archetypes of religious worship objects, it is intended for viewers to deeply reflect on the spaces around them and form a worship-like connection to place.




