Katabasis. Alexandra Clod in collaboration with Matthew O’Toole

Mute

Katabasis

Alexandra Clod - analogue photography, poem

Matthew O’Toole - sound

2023 

Katabasis combines the symbolism and meanings of ancient Greek mythology with modern industrial objects from miners' lives from both England and Ukraine.

In my research, I was curious – what does this action of going underground mean? It reminded me of the Greek concept of ‘katabasis’ – the journey to the underworld, a realm of the unknown which is sacred in all myths throughout the continents; going there is the transforming thing itself, a hero’s journey, a challenge that changes all the course of the history.

Following the Greek legend of changing seasons, winter exists because Persephone spends six months underground in the kingdom of her husband Hades.

Accordingly, when winter comes there is a need to get some coal in order to warm the house. Through the lens of ancient myth, I wanted to imagine what offerings could be made to Persephone, Queen of the Underworld – to make her kind and allow a miner, an industrial hero, to get some coal from the underworld?

Coal has played a significant role in the development of our civilization. Nowadays coal is still on the stage, in Ukraine more than 140 mines are functioning and there are many mining regions across Europe.

I reflect on the idea of coal as a gift of nature, and by surgically placing it on the table among fruits and flowers, I want viewers to stop and think about the ethical aspect of the human relationship to nature. I believe, if we were saving the syncretic mythological mindset and respect for Mother Earth, we would not be the most harmful species on this planet.

Katabasis photo series explores the mythological aspect of coal mining, arranging still-life scenes as ritual offerings that could be made underground in order to align the coal extraction process with the gods' will.

Katabasis. Analogue photo series

Katabasis. Analogue photo series

Katabasis. Analogue photo series

Katabasis. Analogue photo series

Katabasis. Analogue photo series

Katabasis. Analogue photo series

Katabasis. Analogue photo series

Katabasis. Analogue photo series

Who has seen Persephone? Audio Poem

Poem by Alexandra Clod

Read: Alexandra Clod

Sound production: Matthew O’Toole

Photo: Alexandra Clod

Alexandra Clod

Alexandra is a multidisciplinary artist, with formal training as a psychologist. The Industrial context of Donetsk city where she grew up provoked her interest in environmental changes and in how humans relate to nature. She works with the subjects of mythology (ancient rituals, sacred knowledge and symbols), global changes (shift of technologies, transition from postmodernism to new cultural paradigm etc.) and the psychological theories (such as archetypes, wholeness and trust). Inspired by the transformative power of art, in her art practice Alexandra uses means of photography, video and performance. She has taken part in international projects and residencies, including a RUCKA Artist Residency in Cesis, Latvia, with support of an Artist at Risk grant, performing at the Alte Muenze in Berlin, and a photography project in County Cork, Ireland. 

https://www.alexandraclod.com/  

(Re)Grounding is a partnership between IZOLYATSIA (Ukraine), D6:EU (Cyprus) and D6: Culture in Transit (UK). 
The programme is supported by: the UK/UA Creative Partnerships programme created by the British Council in partnership with the Ukrainian Institute; European Cultural Foundation; Arts Council England; the Paul Hamlyn Foundation; the Cyprus Department of Contemporary Culture of Deputy Ministry; the Goethe-Institut Zypern; the NewBridge Project; Vsesvit, and EKATE (Cyprus Chamber of Fine Arts).