Messages from the Marsh, Parts 4-6 (2024), video and audio, continuous loop (03:05 min)
“Messages from the Marsh” is a work in progress for an immersive experience featuring video projections, sound art, and mapping. The project showcases marsh locations along the US East Coast that are projected to be underwater by 2050 due to sea level rise, tides, and storm surges. Videos highlight the unique otherworldly beauty of these locations, both above and below the waterline, with environmental elements playing a significant role in co-producing the videos.
Supported by research, the project aims to raise awareness about the potential impact of coastal marsh loss on the ecosystem. It emphasizes the importance of marshes as transitional barrier spaces, rich migratory habitats, and carbon capture systems. Additionally, it focuses on preservation, restoration, and management efforts. The work involves site-specific research, video documentation, and in-person engagement. Videos shown reflect on immersion of spaces inhabited, spaces transformed, and spaces potentially lost. The water’s skin, the separation of the realms of water and air, are explored through underwater and over water imaging with a GoPro. Each piece works in relationship with each other to suggest a fuller, interconnected and dynamic rhythm with resonant impact across their spaces.
Parts 1-6 are based on recordings from numerous locations in Massachusetts, with additional parts currently in production. Parts 4-6 specifically focus on grasses, along with wind, and wetland birdlife. This triptych begins and ends with sounds of the Saltmarsh Sparrow, listed as vulnerable on the endangered species list in Massachusetts.
Enormous thanks to Kenneth Hinegardner, Kristina Kehrer, and Judith Sprague for production assistance and words of encouragement.
Coastal marsh areas considered for the continued project, with travel permitting:
- Scituate, Conservation Park and Rivermoor Habitat Park, Norris Reservation, Bound Brook Pond, Marshfield English Salt Marsh, Duxbury, North & South Rivers, New Bedford
- Ipswich Salt Marsh, Great Marsh Areas of Ipswich and Essex, Plum Island Reserve, Rough Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary, Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Salisbury
- Boston Harbor Islands, Seaport, Nahant, Revere, Winthrop, E. Boston, Chelsea, Dorchester, Quincy, Nantasket, Hull
- Truro, Pamet & Salt Marsh, Falmouth, Wequoit Bay Area of Critical Concern, Sandwich, Sandy Neck Beach Great Marshes
- Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, Ogunquit, Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve, ME
- New York/Lower Manhattan, Long Island South Bay
- Delaware, Black Water National Refuge
- NC Outer Banks, Alligator River Reserve, Currituck Outer Banks, Shackleford Banks, Rachel Carson Reserve on Carrot Island Crystal Coast, Cedar Island National Wildlife Refuge
- Savannah, Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, Charleston
- Miami, Everglades National Park, Florida Keys, Sarasota
- New Orleans, Maurepas Swamp Wildlife Mgmt. Area, Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge
- Houston, Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge and Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge
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