Lament (2022 – 2024) is a new performance and installation belonging to my long-term project untaming death, which explores death from a more-than-human perspective in times of environmental disruption. In this context Lament focuses on the aftermath of wildfires, occurrences with complex ecological roles and with noxious effects on unbalanced ecologies. Stepping back from data-driven responses related to restoration and monitoring Lament embraces overlooked stories of transformations in post-wildfire environments along two trajectories: with a focus on soil and through community engagement.

Beyond the spectacular force of wildfires, Lament reflects on wildfires and the anthropogenic shifts in fire regimes by inquiring into more-than-human becoming in soil. These changes are unperceivable to humans, but possess far-reaching effects, capable of revealing regeneration and erosion. Extending the project to vulnerable communities, Lament offers engagement with those affected by wildfires to offer an entry to dealing with environmental tragedies and resilience. Equipped by the collaboration with leading environmentalists, conservationists and researchers, Lament makes space for the contemplation of ecologies of death and harnessing solastalgia and ecological grief as artistic and epistemological tools for the times to come.

Morphology
Performance: 40 mins performance for solo performer, cello and live electronics
Installation: 4×7 m, glassware, rope, soil from burnt woods, paper
Community engagement program based on sensory mapping

Artwork credits:
Margherita Pevere: concept, performance, installation, bio-protocols, costume and glassware design
Ivan Penov: music (composed and performed by)
Diana Viera / JRC: scientific advisor
Céline Charveriat / Pro(to)topia Consulting: research advisor
Lucía Iglesias Blanco / Nature Conservation Unit (DG for Environment, European Commission): conservation advisor
Jurica Mlinarec: project management
Lena Böckann: costume maker
Jason Hitchcock / Berlin Flameworking Studio, Berlin Glass: glassblowing
Caterina De Donato: studio assistant
Romane Iskaria: photography
Daniele Lucchini: video
Bruno Georis: audio description
Realised with the support of NaturArchy – Resonances Project at the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission
Special thanks to: Alfredo Branco, Daniele De Rigo, Margherita di Leo, Duarte Oom, Jesus San Miguel
Mattia Bianco, Marco Donnarumma, Mira Fabjan, Alessandro Ruggero, Gianmarco Lupi, Marco Revelant.

Community engagement credits:
Céline Charveriat: concept and direction
Margherita Pevere: concept and artistic direction
Conceição Colaço / CEABN InBIO, School of Agriculture (ISA), University of Lisbon (UL): scientific advisor and project overview, partnership coordination
Brigite Botequim / CoLAB ForestWISE: Partnership coordination and resource supporter
André Mota / Santa Comba Dão Fire fighters: on-site support
Madalena Ferreira / CoLAB ForestWISE: on-site mediation
Letícia Oliviera / CEABN InBIO, ISA-UL: documentation
Tania Ricardo / Municipality of Santa Comba Dão: psychological support
With the hospitality of the municipality and the voluntary firefighters of Santa Comba Dão (PT), and the kind participation of its citizens.
Realised with the support of NaturArchy – Resonances Project at the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission, School of Agriculture (ISA) – University of Lisbon, CoLAB ForestWISE and FIRE RES – Innovative Technologies & socio-ecological-economic solutions for fire resilient territories in Europe.

Commissioned by the EC Joint Research Centre in the framework of the SciArt project’s Resonances IV cycle on “NaturArchy: Towards a Natural Contract”

Lament is COAL Prize 2024’s Transformative Territories Winner.