“The Flow of Matter”, 2022
GATEWAY I exhibition, 2023
Stefano Cagol, “The Flow of Matter”, 2022, 4K video 6:50 min. / loop. Credit: S. Cagol
During field research, Stefano Cagol went to Maspalomas, the southern coast of the Grand Canary Island, where the Sahara desert sand migrates from Western Sahara due to the winds, undergoing changes. These dunes and this phenomenon increasing to extremes become an emblem of climate changes. To make them visible, the artist draws the shape of the wind using a streamer flag and moves, in turn, the sand as a metaphor for our influence. So, he recalls the anthropogenic interferences on climate and the environment, and our arrogance modifying all around us for our use.
The alteration of winds, sea currents, and atmospheric circulation, are called here Calima, Trade Winds, Canary Current, and Azores Anticyclone, so relevant both on a local and planetary level, both influencing our lives and influenced by us.
Stefano Cagol, “The Flow of Matter”, 2022, 4K video 6:50 min. / loop. Credit: S. Cagol
Then, he moves to the Barranco del Draguillo, a specific area of the volcanic island that presents geological traces of its beginnings and historical memories of the indigenous inhabitants. Here, he takes away stones, red and black stones, underlining his presence in the wilderness with a white streamer. The migration of elements on the earth’s crust was firstly studied one hundred years ago by geologist Alexander Fersman, and now scientists continuously worn us about the altered balances at the origin of climate crisis, yet they are still difficult for everyone to grasp because appear as variable, diffuse and multiform phenomena, called ‘hyperobjects’ by the philosopher Timothy Morton.
Realizing the performance in the video, the artist applies his own method, following a shamanic attitude and being totally alone in the environment, where he acts and controls a drone, all at the same time.
Text: Stefano Cagol
Stefano Cagol (Trento, 1969) is an impressive Italian contemporary artist who works in the fields of Conceptual Art, Environmental Art, Eco-Art and Land Art, reflecting for years on borders, viruses, flags and climate issues.