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Rainwater falls from top to bottom and is collected; from the exterior it enters the interior, kept within a transparent basin.
Raised up, the meteoric water falls down again slowly; a diagonal flow crosses the space. Oscillating rhythmically, it transforms. On the ground, a pool of soil levels the cracks in the floor and, as it dries, contracts.

The water nourishes several Dioscorea batatas plants, known in China as shanyào (“mountain medicine”), and by the anthroposophists as “the root of light”. Its shoots grow upwards, beyond the windows, in search of sunlight. Photonic particles and other finer elements are accumulated in its long white roots, giving substance to the air. Axillary bulbils invite collective actions of dissemination.

Talea Island floats placidly in the basin; plants from Assab One’s garden and from our studio also rest on the water’s surface. They are waiting for convivial moments of exchange. A flow of five “subjects” in three movements.

Biography

Andrea Caretto (Turin, 1970) and Raffaella Spagna (Rivoli, Turin, 1967) work together since 2002. Their practice stems from the desire to investigate multiple dimensions of reality through exploration of the complex web of relationships from which things emerge, establishing and re-establishing a relationship with ‘the other’ in an exercise of attention and care. Caretto/Spagna’s work is based on an attitude of “presence” and experience in the world, in an attempt to reposition ourselves, as human beings, by moving away from the centre to listen to other subjects, living and non-living. Caretto/Spagna are founding members of associations Progetto Diogene, Turin, Italy and Pianpicollo Selvativo – research centre for arts and sciences, Levice, Turin, Italy. They regularly collaborate with IRIS – Interuniversity Research Institute of Universities of Turin, Brescia and Aosta and Faculty of Education Science of University of Turin, Italy. They are also artistic consultants for Munlab, Ecomuseo dell’argilla, Cambiano, Turin, Italy, where they have their studio.

Recent solo and group exhibitions include: PAV – Parco Arte Vivente, Turin, Italy; Cittadellarte Fondazione Pistoletto, Biella, Italy; GAM – Galleria Civica di Arte Moderna e Contemporanea, Turin, Italy; CAIRN (Centre d’Arte Informel de Recherce sur la Nature), Digne-les-Bains, France; Benetton Foundation, Treviso; Fondazione MERZ, Turin, Italy; Bozar Brussels, Belgium; Khoi International Artists, New Dehli, India; Mudam Luxembourg Musée d’Arte Moderne Gran-Duc Jean.

“Koberwitz, Pentecost 1924, the agricultural course that Rudolf Steiner gave at the request of many farmers has just ended. The car was parked in front of the castle entrance to take the teacher to the train station in Wroclaw. In Jena, his next stop, he and hisibcons were eagerly awaited: a curative educational facility was being built on Lauenstein. At that moment Johanna von Keyserlingk, the landlady, and Gü nther Wachsmuth made their way over: “Doctor, we have another question.” * “Sı̀ thank you.” With a glance at the driver, “One moment.” “Doctor, if we can treat the soil and our food plants according to the instructions you have given us and then revitalize them, will what was thus produced represent a diet suitable for the times and the spirit?” “Even in the best of cases,” Steiner replied, “this will not be sufficient. It should be possible to grow Dioscorea batatas in Europe so that it can replace the potato as the main food.” The two questioners were fortunately smart enough to investigate. “Where does the plant grow and what is special about it?” Rudolf Steiner could only briefly answer the questions; the driver was waiting. But they both felt the importance and seriousness of the short answer. “This plant is the only one that can store luminous ether in its underground parts and will be indispensable for the people of the future. It is growing in China.” That had to be enough for now, the engineer insisted, because the train would not wait.” * Reported by Johanna von Keyserlingk to her son Adalbert. Excerpted from: Ralf Roessner, Clemens Hildebrandt (2014) “The Light Root: Nutrition of the Future, a Spiritual- Scientiic Study”, Temple Lodge Publishing

山薯

“Shānyào, the mountain remedy. Its flavor and nature are tepid, balanced, have no toxicity . It treats wind stroke, treats deep essence deficit, emaciation, drives out perverse energy leading to cold and heat, strengthens and tones the center, gives strength to muscles and rebuilds flesh, treats wind going up to the head, vision problems, stops chi going down, back pain, tones the great void (blood deficit), consolidates the five full organs, drives out internal heat/agitation, consolidates Yin. After taking it, the ear and eye become able to hear and able to see, vision becomes bright, in the long run it makes the body light, and able to withstand periods of famine. Those that grow on the mountains (spontaneous) are particularly beneficial; it pacifies and fortifies the “vegetative souls” of the liver and lung, gives solidity to the heart and spirit, gives strength to the emotions (…)”

Taken from: “Bencao gangmu” (1596) by medical master Li Shizhen (1518-1593), Ming era. Section on shā nyà o 山药

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ffLux_radici di luce

ffLux_radici di luce

Biography

ffLux_radici di luce

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