Badland Graft, 2011

A series of 8 large format photographs. 8"x 10" black and white negatives scanned and printed on archival pigment paper, 40"x 50" edition of 5.

This research endeavor meticulously examines the intricate network of canals in Northern Brazil, focusing on the environs surrounding the city of Parelhas. Functioning as a physical and metaphorical divide, the canal is an architectural graft within the landscape, incorporating minor topographical irregularities while delineating spatial boundaries. Crafted through a complex system of channels and structures excavated from the earth, the canal paradoxically segregates and amalgamates communities, embodying a dualistic function.

The politics of water resource management are deeply embedded in the construction and implementation of canal systems, rendering them potent symbols of socio-political dynamics. These canals not only connect disparate geographical locales but also interject and dissect the landscape in a manner that is both functional and symbolic. The specific canal situated on the outskirts of Parelhas, constructed manually, serves a multifaceted purpose: it mitigates the risk of flooding in an arid region while simultaneously serving as a poignant cultural commentary on the politics of resource allocation and community cohesion.

Employing walking as a methodological approach offers an ideal framework for critical reflection within this project. This form of peripatetic wayfaring engages multiple referential points, situating the human body as an intimate participant within the landscape. Unlike conventional cartographic endeavors, this project transcends mere spatial mapping to delve into the complexities of identity and subjectivity. Through interviews and personal journeys, the research inscribes the experience of navigating a highly politicized space, thereby contributing to an enriched understanding of the interplay between geography, politics, and cultural identity.