In the realm of art, there are creators who push boundaries and challenge our perceptions. Delcy Morelos, a visionary artist, has crafted an extraordinary body of work centered around one humble yet powerful element: soil. Her latest installation, Origo, is set to debut in London, offering a unique and immersive experience that delves into our primal connection with the earth.
Morelos' art is a sensory journey, a reminder of our origins and our inherent bond with nature. As I stepped into The Womb Space, her previous earthwork in Mexico City, I was enveloped by a sense of peace and awe. The scent of clove and cinnamon, the silence, and the towering structure of reddish soil created an otherworldly atmosphere. It was as if I had entered a sacred space, a place where time stood still and the only presence was that of the earth itself.
The Power of Earthworks
Morelos' earthworks are not just artistic expressions; they are a mission, a vocation. Her aim is to create experiences that provoke and inspire, to encourage us to ask questions and discover answers we never knew we sought. By engaging our senses and emotions, her installations remind us of our deep-rooted connection to the earth, a connection that often gets lost in our modern, urban lives.
What makes Morelos' work particularly fascinating is her ability to elevate soil, a humble and often overlooked material, to a position of reverence and equality. In a world driven by extractive cultures and dominance over nature, her art offers a radical perspective. It challenges the notion that soil is merely a resource to be mined, and instead, presents it as a sentient being, worthy of our care and respect.
A Worldview Rooted in Andean Cosmovision
Morelos' artistic philosophy is deeply rooted in the Andean cosmovision, a worldview that perceives natural elements as sentient beings, not resources. This perspective, influenced by her Amazonian teacher Isaías Román, shapes her art and her belief in the interconnectedness of all life. The idea that "the universe is a tejido, a woven fabric - everything matters" is a powerful concept that runs through her work.
This worldview stands in stark contrast to the European pagan belief systems that were eclipsed by the Adam and Eve creation myth, which positioned humans at the pinnacle of existence, with dominion over all living things. As Oaxacan activist Yásnaya Aguilar notes, even the concept of earth as property is a colonial construct, vastly different from indigenous notions of collective territory.
Horizontal Relationships and the Power of Listening
Morelos' art advocates for horizontal relationships, where care and listening are paramount. She believes that by listening to the space, the materials, and the memories they hold, we can cultivate a deeper connection and understanding. This care extends beyond the earth to all living and non-living things - lakes, stones, ants - and is, in her words, "what means our species exists."
The Ephemeral Nature of Art
Origo, like The Womb Space, is a temporary installation, a concept that Morelos embraces. She sees impermanence as a strength, a reflection of the natural world's cycles. Just as the English countryside transforms through seasons, her art evolves and eventually returns to the earth. This transient nature adds a layer of intimacy and urgency to the experience, encouraging visitors to embrace the moment and the memories it creates.
A Space for Reflection and Connection
Morelos' hope for Origo is simple yet profound: to create a space where people can connect with the earth, to realize that we don't need much to live, and to appreciate the abundance that the earth provides. In a world often characterized by excess and detachment, her art offers a sanctuary, a place where we can find solace and a sense of belonging.
As one visitor said, standing before the looming soil mass, "It makes me feel like the earth and I aren't strangers." This is the magic of Delcy Morelos' earthworks - a reminder of our shared origins and our inherent connection to the earth, a connection that, when nurtured, can bring solace, humility, and a deeper understanding of our place in the world.
