RIVER OF STONES
"There is a river flowing inside each and every one of us"
Workshop participant
Throughout human history, rivers and waterways have been considered sacred. They have even been thought of as deities. Indigenous cultures across the world still revere water and, in some places, legal action is being taken to give them the legal rights of people.
The River Calder, far from being revered and considered sacred, is now one of the most polluted rivers in the UK. Calder is a Celtic word for ‘river of stones’ and this forms the basis of Zephie's ongoing project exploring our relationship to rivers and watercourses.
Zephie is exploring our connection to the Calder, researching the history and folklore connected to it, in order to creatively and collectively reimagine our relationship to the river that has carved and defined the valley.
During a residency at Everybody Arts in Halifax, Zephie explored the connection between the river and the mill that is now a community arts centre. The river once powered the former textile mill and the booming industry in Halifax, but as a result of this, it is now one of the most polluted rivers in the country and is a source of fear for many in the valley through repeated devastating flooding.
The river has come to symbolise many of the social and environmental crises we face. But one of the most pressing is our spiritual crisis of disconnection: to the earth, to each other and to ourselves.
Through a series of workshops and events, Zephie will use materials found in and near the river, such as wild clay and plant fibres, to experiment with sculptural forms. People are invited to make small votive offerings for the river from wild clay, and to use recycled textiles to co-create a dress inspired by traditional folk costumes.
They can write their hopes, wishes and prayers for the river on pieces of fabric which she will then sew onto the dress and wear it on a meditative walk through the valley and by the river, distributing the votives and people’s wishes for the health of the river and the environment of the Calder Valley.
The dress recently featured in 'Ritual' an exhibition at In a Land, Hebden Bridge.
"River of Stones' will be made into a short film.