Los Angeles Dances of Water and Power
011668’s kaiju-butoh reinterpretation of “The Rite of Spring” summons a horrible dancing creature from the Los Angeles River.
[strobe warning]
On January 16, 1968, at 10:00 PM PST, LADWP workers breached the Los Angeles River, inadvertently unearthing an unknown lifeform from a fissure in the concrete.
The creature’s body is an amalgamation of mutated forms: part human, part crustacean, and part trash. Its scaly skin is a sickly shade of iridescent gray, adorned with a hard plastic exoskeleton, protruding wires, and twisted appendages.
This shocking hybridization is the result of countless lifeforms and pollutants trapped within the concrete hex. The intermingling toxic cocktail of petrochemicals and wastewater ferment beneath the channel, creating an unprecedented genetic potential for birthing a new abomination into existence.
The creature has continuously evaded detainment and grown to monstrous proportions, tearing through the urban landscape, disturbing commercial space, and leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
Some have crudely categorized the figure as a demon from another world. Others see the creature as a poignant metaphor highlighting the ramifications of humanity's reckless treatment of the environment. Regardless, the creature has forged a unique reputation in Los Angeles.
[strobe warning]
On January 16, 1968, at 10:00 PM PST, LADWP workers breached the Los Angeles River, inadvertently unearthing an unknown lifeform from a fissure in the concrete.
The creature’s body is an amalgamation of mutated forms: part human, part crustacean, and part trash. Its scaly skin is a sickly shade of iridescent gray, adorned with a hard plastic exoskeleton, protruding wires, and twisted appendages.
This shocking hybridization is the result of countless lifeforms and pollutants trapped within the concrete hex. The intermingling toxic cocktail of petrochemicals and wastewater ferment beneath the channel, creating an unprecedented genetic potential for birthing a new abomination into existence.
The creature has continuously evaded detainment and grown to monstrous proportions, tearing through the urban landscape, disturbing commercial space, and leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
Some have crudely categorized the figure as a demon from another world. Others see the creature as a poignant metaphor highlighting the ramifications of humanity's reckless treatment of the environment. Regardless, the creature has forged a unique reputation in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Dances of Water and Power explores the history and legacy of the
California Water Wars.
(1913-ongoing)
photos by Tina Sapszian
Thank You @finalhotdesert @i8i.online @_bensang @lil.mew @hudsonkendall @sarahsitkin @flt.n3sss @adam.o___ @littlemoe @lung.lung.lung.lung.lung @ang5l__ #BenZurier #NancyHolt #IsamuNoguchi #ArtNakane #USArmyCorpsofEngineers
