Images of the process "Arraigo al agua" 

"Arraigo al agua" (Rooting to water) 
by Seila Fernández Arconada 

Rooting to water explores the concept of the garden as a binding element to the territory, a local identity of the Carraixet community, and not only that, agriculture is the most binding practice to the land that exists since it made humanity sedentary, ingrained becoming the root of local care.

Water is vital for the existence of this territory not only traditionally but as we know it today, its ditches are veins that interweave its human and non-human inhabitants, such as vegetables, citrus trees, etc. Climatic elements such as the "gota fría" (cold rain) or the proximity to the sea promote this symbiotic relationship.

Water, therefore, is the center of this land art intervention which consists on four sculptural pieces like totem "planted" on the ground simulating a compass that interacts with the sun just as plants do, creating dynamism in their shadows. These "totems" are made of natural materials, mainly roots and branches brought by the sea and collected in the different seas /oceans of the Iberian Peninsula.

The materials are also painted with natural dyes from local vegetables such as beets, spinach, carrots as well as citrus fruits. The installation marks a "km. 0" as the central element of this piece, the water, which is located in the center of this "wind rose" supported by a circular ceramic vessel buried in the earth showing the reflections of the landscape and its visitors.

"The artist and researcher Seila Fernández Arconada (Santander, 1986) has been selected by the jury of Km. 0 l'Horta València to carry out the work that will represent the symbolic epicenter of the city in the garden of Valencia, an initiative that seeks to highlight the value of this space as a promoter for the culture and the economy of the territory, as well as a vital element of the Valencian identity.

Specifically, the artistic intervention by Seila Fernández Arconada will consist of four sculptural pieces made with natural materials (roots and branches collected on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea) and “planted” in the ground as totems. In addition, for its decoration it will use dyes from local vegetables and citrus.

The Km. 0 l'Horta València call has been promoted by Turisme Carraixet with the support of the Diputació de València and the management of Enclave Land Art. The objective is to revitalize the towns of this community (Alfara del Patriarca, Foios, Bonrepòs i Mirambell , Vinalesa, Almàssera, Meliana and Albalat dels Sorells) as rich and sustainable proximity destinations.

*This text has been translated to english from the media publishing the selection (in Spanish and Valencian originally) sources here:

www.lavanguardia.com/local/valencia/20201001/483774715792/la-artista-seila-fernandez-arconada-creara-el-kilometro-0-de-la-huerta.html
https://valenciaextra.com/seila-fernandez-arconada-creara-kilometro-0-de-la-huerta/
https://www.europapress.es/comunitat-valenciana/noticia-artista-seila-fernandez-arconada-creara-kilometro-huerta-valencia-20201001102202.html
www.losojosdehipatia.com.es/exposiciones/la-artista-seila-fernandez-arconada-creara-el-kilometro-0-de-valencia-en-la-huerta/
​

With the project #EstudioFlotante, cuando el río suena a Amazonas, I am looking for collaborators based at the Iberian Peninsula originally from the Amazonian territory. 
More info about the project: ​www.estudioflotante.art.blog/

These images show some of the field work done in Campoo by the "mediation" team, including myself and the artist Nacho Zubelzu. This work is framed in Rural Experimenta II. It has been a real pleasure to collaborate with all in particular to my team partner and La Ortiga Colectiva. 

For more information: Cultura y Ciudadanía

I would like to share this blog of the research team I am part of "Art, research and feminism" which is based at the University of the Basque Country. 

Here you can find more information about it: 
https://investigacionarteyfeminismos.wordpress.com/

​Comienza Rural Experimenta II, ahí estarémos esta semana lxs mediadorxs, Nacho Zubelzu y mi persona seremos lxs encargadxs de vincular los proyectos con el territorio y llevar el territorio de Campoo a cada unx de lxs personas que participan en Rural Experimenta en esta edición. Desde la mediación buscamos generar puentes, articulando desde el territorio para situar ideas, para buscar más preguntas que atraviesen los proyectos, para partir de lo rural para ubicar proyectos. 

"Empezamos la II edición de nuestro laboratorio ciudadano #RuralExperimenta, por delante cinco días donde prototiparemos en común los seis proyectos de innovación rural.
Tejer relaciones humanas, debatir y escuchar, es esencial en el prototipado. Este año el desafío será hacerlo virtualmente.
Pese a todo estaremos en constante conexión con el valle de Campoo mediante metodologías de mediación que trabajarán sobre el territorio. Además, esta tarde inauguraremos la edición junto a Medialab-Prado, Gobierno de Cantabria y La Ortiga Colectiva, además del Ministerio de Cultura y Deporte." Cultura y Ciudadanía
 http://bit.ly/ruralexperimentaII

Primera reunión en persona del equipo parte de Rural Experimenta II que se encuentra en el territorio de Campoo (Cantabria). En la foto, representantes de La Ortiga Colectiva, María Montesino y Angel Astorqui y lxs mediadorxs en esta edición Nacho Zubelzu Gonzalez y mi persona. Más que un honor compartir con ellxs este tiempo de inmersión en la propuesta!
Este encuentro, parte de Cultura y Ciudadanía, ha tenido que amoldarse al medio digital por cuestiones de seguridad pero nosotrxs hemos decidido trabajar desde Requejo y sus alrededores para aportar al encuentro la esencia local que tan importante es para los proyectos seleccionados.
Esta próxima semana nos adentramos en el rodaje de varios videos que serán parte de este encuentro que tendrá lugar entre el 21 y 26 de septiembre. Para más info: https://www.facebook.com/culturayciudadania

It was a real pleasure to talk with Dr. Lisa Blackmore and The River Collective about art and science collaborations emerging from rivers. Thank you to all present, it was a profound discussion to continue with. 

For ore info here: http://www.rivercollective.org/online-science-chats

I would like to share with you this great iniciative, "Dibujos por la Amazonía" in which I am pleased to have participated. Have a look and contribute if you can. Spread the word and share please!
Os comparto esta gran iniciativa, "Dibujos por la Amazonía" en la que he tenido el gusto de participar y que siento tan importante, se agradece difusión! Gracias!
"Drawings for the Amazon brings together a volunteer group of visual artists to help the indigenous Amazon communities in Peru, who are going through difficult times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All funds raised will be directed to three social organizations that have a decisive role in communication, assistance and help in the health emergency: the Apostolic Vicariate of Iquitos, Ucamara Radio in Nauta, and Coshikox (Shipibo-Konibo and Xetebo Council) in Pucallpa. More than 250 artists have donated more than 400 original works in A4 format (approximate), which will be distributed among the project donors. By contributing a one-time fee of US$ 150, you will receive a link to discover which work was selected for you, through an automated system in the form of a raffle. The project is inspired by the Brazilian project 300 Desenhos. Your collaboration is fundamental and you can do it as many times as you want".
MORE INFO: www.dibujosxamazonia.org
(**web en ambos idiomas)

Also: https://gestion.pe/peru/artistas-donan-sus-obras-para-salvar-a-indigenas-de-la-amazonia-peruana-noticia/?fbclid=IwAR3gXjKZIEVGmvGCOSXLhCT5KEptn8LyPet2H6LFSaVaViTJ3IzUW-c0VZw

Here the images I contributed with, both done at the Amazon rainforest.