Chapter 19: Lifeline, A Water Storytelling Project

Forever – is composed of Nows –

Dear friends,

As I settle into my studio again after opening Eridanus: The River Constellation, on view in Turin, Italy through Feb 8 at Mazzoleni, I am rediscovering some of the moments lived along the way. What ties this collection of photographs together? They all capture a precise transformative moment in the lifeline of each work and will never be seen again. They are ephemeral descendants to the finished works.

I invite water’s collaboration and expression in these works, with curiosity as my guide in years of exploration. What will water do if I add velvety black Sumi ink to these areas of pre-wetted paper? How will tiny streams of water rush into paper’s creases prepped with homemade copper oxide with chlorophyllin? I photograph how water responds throughout the process, knowing that as water dries and evaporates, everything changes. I go to make coffee only to come back to witness what watery magical metamorphosis has occurred, with awe.

“Photography helps people see”.

“Photography can only represent the present.”

–Bernice Abbott

“what we have been, or now are, we shall not be tomorrow”
― Ovid, Metamorphoses

“Everything is only for a day, both that which remembers and that which is remembered.”

"Observe constantly that all things take place by change, and accustom thyself to consider that the nature of the universe loves nothing so much as to change things which are and to make new things like them. For everything that exists is in a manner the seed of that which will be.”

―Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

Forever – is composed of Nows –

‘Tis not a different time –

Except for Infiniteness –

And Latitude of Home –

From this – experienced Here –

Remove the Dates – to These –

Let Months dissolve in further Months –

And Years – exhale in Years –

Without Debate – or Pause –

Or Celebrated Days –

No different Our Years would be

From Anno Dominies –

― Emily Dickinson

Thank you for being here with me. As always, I welcome your comments and questions…and feel free to share this publication with those in your circle!

Love and warmest wishes for happy and peaceful holidays,
MM