CHAIRHENGE AND EARTH POETRY

An Invocation of Earth and Humanity

In this interactive installation, Chairhenge, I repurpose discarded chairs sourced from the local community, enveloping them in a traditional Adobe Mix that speaks to the cultural heritage of the land. Arranged in an outward-facing circle, these chairs form a communal space, inviting participants to engage in a tactile and sensory experience.

Guests are encouraged to remove their shoes, grounding themselves as they sit within these mud-clad vessels. This act of connection to the earth fosters a moment of introspection and unity, as participants are invited to contemplate their relationship with the land and the origins of humanity.

An integral audio component features the evocative words of South African writer Steve Biko, intertwining poetry with the lived experience of pre-colonial lifestyles and animistic traditions. This layering of voice and physical presence underscores the work’s aim: to bridge contemporary existence with ancient wisdom, illuminating the cyclical nature of life and the enduring legacy of civilizations.

As Chairhenge is left to corrode and integrate back into the earth, it becomes a metaphor for the transience of human endeavors and the ongoing dialogue between nature and culture. Through this dissolution, the piece continues to speak to the cycles of life, inviting reflection on our place within the broader tapestry of existence.