[2017] M\u0101ras Noguld\u012bjumi process images

This entry shares files related to Andrew Gryf Paterson's 'M\u0101ras noguld\u012bjumi' (M\u0101ra's deposits), a trans-disciplinary, hybrid art-science, practice-led research, ferment and maker process during Roja Art Lab 2017 residency, Gulf of Riga, Latvia.

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"I aim to connect the material investigation and external-internal cultural communion of ferments with Livonian alluvial clay deposits in Roja area. #RojaArtLab2017 #M\u0101rasNoguld\u012bjumi #MaarasNoguldiijumi

The process began with a site-visit in early May 2016, and aims to further develop creative relationships within the Gulf of Livonia (R\u012bgas j\u016bras l\u012bcis, Liivi laht). Material deposits found near Roja on the Latvian Kurzeme side will form the focal \u2018boundary object\u2019 for the proposal. A modest amount of clay will be gathered, analyzed as physical, cultural and abiotic material, informational-knowledge, and socially-ingested medium for beneficial value-creation in the name of \u2018M\u0101ra\u2019s deposits\u2019.

Starting from reference to the Latvian goddess deity M\u0101ra, from Latvian belief-system and folklore, who is a feminine figure connecting both land and water and living things, she is associated with many aspects of goodness and fortune, taking care of the body and the hearth (economic activities). The equivalent in Estonian mythology could be Vete-emo & Maan-emo, or Gaia. The association of M\u0101ra is applied towards the alluvium silicates and minerals to be found near the shore-line that connects land and water, to accumulate as deposits of clay. The materials gathered as alluvial clay will be processed and made into the containers and \u2018protectors\u2019 of microbacterial biomes, and their economic management towards the fermentation of summer vegetables to preserve them for winter. Fermentation is made in cooperation with Lactobacillus bacteria, is done using brine (slightly salty) water, in an anaerobic (without-oxygen) process. Alluvial clay contains trace minerals and medicinal qualities deemed beneficial in various external and ingested/internal usage (however this will be qualified post-Roja Art Lab with tests).

During Roja Art Lab 2017, the clay will be worked on\u2014cleansed, purified, molded, and baked\u2014into the form of artefacts: specifically functional fermentation weights, advised in making by M\u0101rish Grosbahs. They have been made to custom-fit household plastic containers, illustrating a necessary combination of old and new home economics-in-transition towards well-being. Inside the containers are a selection of vegetable ferments. A temporary DIY oven will be constructed to assist in making a pizza-like product (Flammküchen, Tarte flambée) as base for eating the ferments. We will ingest, so that the sculpture is within.

Hence, alongside this process, it the creation of a seasonal an outdoor pizza-oven at Roja Art Lab base, made by Ian Paterson. Clay and kiln-firing work advised by M\u0101ris Grosbahs\u200b.

An ingestion-celebration of ferments and bakes will take place at 19.00 on Saturday 22nd July 2017, as part of the closing celebrations of Roja Art Lab.

Future efforts will be made to make connections socio-culturally, materially, and psychologically in cooperation with Green Root Lab project (Pärnu) on the diagonally-opposite Estonian side of the Gulf. A trans-disciplinary text including more art-science and cultural heritage perspectives on the local Roja alluvial clay to follow at a later date."

See original proposal made in March 2017: https://archive.org/details/agryfp-2017-maaras-deposits-roja-art-lab

#M\u0101rasNoguld\u012bjumi #MaarasNoguldiijumi