hidden and missing things

(2020)

 

This project was commissioned by Kone Foundation (Finland) and held during the Saari Residency

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How to find water in the backwoods | video stills | 2019 - 2020

 

documentation process

vídeo | 16:9 |  stereo

The main idea of this project at the Saari Residence was the manipulation of an old-age technique of divining with the purpose of activating relations between the local environment, beliefs and the human being who manipulates it. Using artistic strategies, I organized real and fictitious documents, trying to create narrative and visual logics that flirt with the fields of geophysics and divining methods. The instruments were wooden dowsing rods in "v" and "y" shape of varying sizes found nearby the Residence. ‘Dowsing is an unexplained process in which people use a forked twig to find missing and hidden objects. Also known as divining and doodlebugging, is often used to search for water or missing jewellery, but it is also often employed in other applications including ghost hunting, crop circles and fortunetelling.’

Based on this definition, I was interested in the particularity of an 'inexplicable' functioning object that oscillates between popular belief and science. The idea of a divining tool or a device that can find - with some accuracy - missing and hidden things, could bring me poetic narratives and a rich material which was developed during the Residence.

 

My goal was to create situations of ‘looking for’ and ‘persistence’ with the use of this object, having popular belief and science as drivers of these actions. The personal search for something invisible or lost, whether material or immaterial.

 

Check out more about the project here > https://hiddenandmissingthings.tumblr.com/

 

Studio practice at SAARI Residency |  Mynämäki | 2020

 

 

Studio practice at SAARI Residency |  Mynämäki | 2020

Script editing process for the final video

 

 

hidden and missing things | Teaser | 2020

 

Video | 16:9 | 1'00" | stereo | color

audio in finnish | subtitles in portuguese

In collaboration with Heli Keskikallio

 

 

The sequence of events in the video 'Hidden and missing things' follows two lines of argument. The first line deals with the practice of dowsing. There are references from different sources, which show the action itself: ways of using drawings, diagrams and videos. As well as methods described in texts and articles on the topic. In this line, the sources are, for the most part, devoid of any scientific explanation. Being restricted to dubious images and inaccurate reports.

 

On the other hand, the second line of argument deals with a scientifically proven geological event. A phenomenon that has been going on for about ten thousand years that consists of the pressure arising from the enormous weight of the Scandinavian glaciers, called Post-Glacial Uplift. As a result of this process, the land plate of this specific region (Gulf of Bothnia) is rising more than sea level, which in turn is also increasing worldwide due to global warming.

Technically, the coast of Finland is rising above sea level. This is a visible fact, even in the bay where the Saari Residence is located. This region, curiously, means “Island”. However, 'Saari' has not been an island for centuries, being part of the continent and bringing with it new “islands” that appear slowly on the coast of the bay, when in the past there was only the sea.

 

Y-Rod | 2019

 

Model assembled in studio

wood and scale table

variable dimensions

 

hidden and missing things | Mietoistenlahti | 2020

 

divining practice

with y-rod

 

Dowser's belt | 2020

 

Leather, metal and wooden rods

Variable dimensions

 

 

 

Dowser's belt | 2020

 

Leather, metal and wooden rods

Variable dimension

 

 

In dowser’s belt there were five forked willow wands of varying sizes, which were used on different soils. At night they used to soak the willow forks in water to which there was some cattle urine and a few samples from every springwater in this region – to toughen the wood. In this way their wands were steeped in an intimate knowledge of the water in the valleys and the mountains.

 

 

 

1

Find dowsing or divining rods. You can use natural items as dowsing or divining rods, such as tree branches or sticks. Often, diviners use forked sticks from trees such as willow, peach, and witch hazel. Look for a stick that has a fork with branches of equal length on either end of the fork.

If you do not want to use a forked stick, you can use coat hanger, two wire rods, or a pendulum as a dowsing rod. Cut the coat hanger so you have two pieces of wire that are the same length and extend at least one to two feet. You can also use two wire rods of equal length or a pendulum made especially for dowsing.

 

 

 

 

2

Hold the rods an arm’s length away from your body. You should then hold the rods in each hand at an arm’s length away from your body. Position the rods so they rest flat over your index fingers and let the butt of the handles rest in the heel of your hands. Do not grip the handles too tightly as the rods need to be able to float freely to work.

 

Hold the rods about 9 inches (23 cm) apart so they do not cross or collide. You may want to practice holding the rods in your hands a few times to get the hang of it.

If you are using one forked stick, you should hold it an arm's length away from your body. Make sure you hold the stick lightly so it can float freely in your hand.

 

 

 

 

 

3

Keep the rods steady and straight as you walk. Once you understand how to hold the rods properly, you should practice walking and moving around while holding the rods. Make sure you keep the rods steady and straight as you walk so they are parallel to the ground.

 

Hold the rods at arm’s length and walk slowly back and forth across the room. Do not let the rod end tip upward or downward as you move as you do not want to move the rods unintentionally with the force of your body or your arms.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Studio practice at SAARI Residency |  Mynämäki | 2020

Classification of forks found in the vicinity of Mietoistenlahti

forest and Vasikkahaan bird-watching tower

 

 

Colecting forks near the SAARI Residency | Mynämäki | 2020

 

 

Studio practice at SAARI Residency |  Mynämäki | 2020

Blackboard with notes and documentation

 

 

Studio practice at SAARI Residency |  Mynämäki | 2020

Schemes and drawings

 

 

Studio practice at SAARI Residency |  Mynämäki | 2020

Schemes and drawings

 

 

Studio practice at SAARI Residency |  Mynämäki | 2020

Energy - bifurcation point

 

 

Cataloging process / Studio practice at SAARI Residency

Mynämäki | 2020

 

 

Collection area

Approximate perimeter - Mietoistenlahti

Mynämäki | 2020

 

 

Collecting rods

Mietoistenlahti - Mynämäki | 2020

 

 

Collection area

Approximate perimeter - Mietoistenlahti

Mynämäki | 2020

 

 

Sea level 'sinking'

Phenomeno of Post-Glacial Uplift - Mietoistenlahti

Mynämäki | 2020

 

 

Y-Rod | 2020

 

Sequence (2 of 5) assembled in the studio

(How to hold the Y-rod properly)

 

 

hidden and missing things | Mietoistenlahti | 2020

 

divining practice

with y-rod