Creatures of Metamorphia (2022)
Creatures of Metamorphia is a speculative project that explores a world where
humans seek out other creatures of nature as guides or teachers.
In the age of the Anthropocene, humans are facing the consequences of building a world that mostly caters to a single species - themselves. Is it possible to shift the focus to other living beings in order to create a place that contributes to the flourishing of non-human beings as well as humans? “What must be cut and what must be tied if multispecies flourishing on earth, including humans and other-than-human beings in kinship, are to have a chance?” (Haraway, Donna J.)
humans seek out other creatures of nature as guides or teachers.
In the age of the Anthropocene, humans are facing the consequences of building a world that mostly caters to a single species - themselves. Is it possible to shift the focus to other living beings in order to create a place that contributes to the flourishing of non-human beings as well as humans? “What must be cut and what must be tied if multispecies flourishing on earth, including humans and other-than-human beings in kinship, are to have a chance?” (Haraway, Donna J.)
The citizens of Metamorphia know the only way to survive survive nature is to be at one with it - so they have mastered the art of shapeshifting. Their definition of shapeshifting is to shift ones energy to another animal in a temporary state of transformation. While in this trance-like state, Metamorphers are able to vividly imagine the world as this non-human being experiences it. In order to achieve this connection with another animal, Metamorphers have to embark alone on a fortnight journey to observe the creature of their interest, without ever disturbing it. At the end of a fortnight, Metamorphers come together on Saint Johns Eve to collectively perform a ritual of shapeshifting.
The ritual is performed under the Lake of a Thousand Mirrors, a lake which governs over every home, and is considered a sacred ecosystem. Each Metamorpher wears a mask during the ritual which has been forged to catch the essence of the animal they have so closely observed. The significance of the mask lies in its symbolism. The mask converts the face, a primary symbol of identity, into the symbol of another creature. This ritual lasts until the next morning dawns, and Saint Johns Eve, the night of magic and celebration, ends. The masks are then dropped, but the ones who wore them are not the same as before.
Each Metamorpher acquires unique teachings from their own connection, but all of them have expanded their consciousness and now experience a greater sense of interconnectedness with other living beings. Their empathy has deepened. In the reflective surface of the water, a Metamorpher can catch a glimpse of another creature in the place of their own reflection, as it has become a part of their spirit.
Each Metamorpher acquires unique teachings from their own connection, but all of them have expanded their consciousness and now experience a greater sense of interconnectedness with other living beings. Their empathy has deepened. In the reflective surface of the water, a Metamorpher can catch a glimpse of another creature in the place of their own reflection, as it has become a part of their spirit.