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the structural color of the colonial pearl
pearls manifest as layers of iridescent nacre gradually coat irritants within a mollusk. this gorgeous result is a form of natural resistance, a testament to the power of withstanding invasive forces. in this way, its process feels resonant with peoples who struggle as a result of colonization.
crystals and light waves is a body of animated work examining the pearl - as a natural resource, exotic commodity, and symbol of resilience - through research in object histories, collection practices, and current institutional dialogue.
full animations in the video above!
[ the pieces you see on this page are limited to 5 second, lower-quality iterations ]
each of the six pieces is a 10-to-32 second looping animation of a pearl. to create these pieces, preparatory research focused on the six pearls' historical records, as well as pearl-centric texts, from laws and treatises to poetry and fiction.
this body of work was designed to be presented in various formats, reimagining the role of the moving image as a fluid modality of healing and reclamation.
[mixed-media installation: 8 projection maps, 6 pearl animations, 2 text channels, soundscape, found objects]
this project would not be possible wihtout the support of the Chancellor's Undergraduate Research Fellowship from the University of Pittsburgh Frederick Honors College, as well as mentor Tony Balko!