…and we’re all on a tilt

https://youtu.be/_Jim1i2RYoU

The film is inspired by concerns about global warming, rising sea levels, and land- surface tilting. (see notes)

Notes & references:
Although ice melt from Alaska contributes to global sea level rise, sea levels near Alaska have been decreasing because the land beneath the state is rising due to shifts in the Earth’s tectonic plates and a process called glacial isostatic adjustment. Despite this, the state could see rising water in the future, as sea levels will eventually rise faster than the land. Alaska is still experiencing some of the effects of changing sea levels, like increased flooding and erosion, and some coastal villages are already relocating.
Reference:
(Pacific Northwest Seismic Network (pnsn.org)
Marine Sector Analysis Report (wa.gov)

Sea level will continue to rise to 2300 under all climate change projections. The UK land surface is tilting, with Scotland rising and southern England sinking, such that greater rates of sea level rise will be experienced in the south of England.
Reference:
Exploratory sea level projections for the UK to 2300
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk

re-published for our times

Trespasses – poem-film in English, made in France https://youtu.be/oIOqbPGRfMw

TRESPASSES by Philip Bennetta

(Oradour-sur-Glane, 2012)

the same stone

corner, crossing

well, church, road

overhead the telephone

cables, limp, mute

the stones fall

timbers collapse

piled-up

where they fell

gone now

the scorched stone wails

what is remains…

this stone

supporting our gaze

now fallen; gently placed

the stillness, which trespasses

on dark ways

and under glass

beneath comprehension

among fragment, artefact

the melted lenses

in your tiny lunettes…

to help us see

after the eyes burn?

end-thread

Cutting thread, collecting fragments, leftover pieces, questions that remain, inspired this meditation. It is to do with the art making process, arising in the final stages of the poem ‘Prayer’, prior to its publication. Thirty six poetry pamphlets form this hand-sewn limited edition, resulting in seventy two tail-ends of thread. These are made into a sequence of placed temporary works, photographed individually, and in grids. I tied the fragments to each other, using seventy two knots (see Franciscan Seraphic Rosary and Eastern prayer rope); this endearing soft-sculptural object, its juxtaposition to the poem, invites contemplation…

The music for the film is based on the poet’s response to a bird singing in the garden, while making the work. It is recorded on Celtic bouzouki…

With special thanks to artistic director Susan Bennetta for her critique, wise words and suggestions. This hand-sewn pamphlet is currently available directly from our small press http://www.artistspress.co.uk. Here’s the link to the film, thank you so much for reading its back-story, with all good times…

https://youtu.be/TfnlPa3u_Mk