naiad's gift
Throughout antiquity the most beautiful spots in nature were regarded as the favorite places of Nymphs and invisible spirits, personifying nature. Women are most often associated with Nymphs within nature and the wildness of the world as things beyond the control of civilization. "Wildness" and "nature" were seen as constructs outside of the domain of man.
The Naiads were fresh-water Nymphs who inhabited the rivers, streams, lakes, marshes, fountains and springs of the earth. They were immortal, minor divinities invited to attend the assemblies of the gods on Mount Olympus.
Nymphs were believed to inspire those that drank of their waters. Thus Naiads, and nymphs in general, were believed endowed with oracular power, to inspire men with the same prophetic gift, and to bestow upon them the creative talent of poetry.
They often gave their names to towns, cities and islands, and as such were most likely regarded as the goddess-protectors of the community's water supply, which usually consisting of a spring, stream, fountain, or well. It was believed that if the stream dried up, the Naiad herself died.
naiad’s gift is an ontological commentary on the naturalization of the urban environment via Ovid’s quote on the death of Orpheus, legendary poet, musician and prophet of ancient Greece.
materials
Single channel video (silent), tripod, AAXA P4 Pico Projector, thumb drive, auxillary battery.
© 2012
exhibitions
2012 LocoMotoArt @ Tatlow Park, Tatlow Park, Vancouver, BC
This project was developed specifically to be presented on a day-lighted stream in Kitsalano in Vancouver, BC.
