2024

Kirschvink states  “We are part of Earth’s magnetic biosphere [and] We have not, as a species, lost the magnetic sensory system that our ancestors [millions of years ago] had. 

This body of work explores the relationship between humans and the earths electromagnetic fields. The possibility that humans are affected by this subtle invisible energy created deep within the centre of the earth is the conceptual premise of the project.
Through a series of experiments and encounters, I seek to make this explicit.

The title is metaphorical of the earth functioning as a “dirt battery”, and also refers to the key component of this installation, where dirt is collected in new forms of magic ritual and at specific sites on Awabakal/Worimi Land. The dirt is used to create a battery that produces electricity. 

Of central interest is the electricity that is created through the movement of the liquid metal around the iron core of earth and which is responsible for earths electro-magnetic field (EMF). Similiarly, Magnetoreception, a sense which allows organisms to detect the Earth's magnetic field, and has been well documented in animals (such as bees ) and Kirschvink’s research that found humans reacted to unexpected changes in the environment, is also explored.  Dirt Battery also expands on this research, exploring the idea of the “body as an antenna” of the earth. 

Dirt Battery blends science and magic, performance and play and uses a variety of media- sculpture, textiles, costume, animatronics, video- to explore these both futuristic and very ancient encounters. The work proposes, that through understanding and strengthening our perception of the earths fields we could coregulate with the earth and humanity.These interactions between people, place and invisible forces, and ostensibly, new ways to manage forms of energy and power is also suggested.