Musings
Photo of Xth Muse by Ian Hamilton Finlay, taken by
Seán Talbot
But later, after we’re forgotten, who are we?
[It begins to rain]
Perhaps a genetic ancestry, or some words on ancient paper, or a smattering of fragments, traces and husks left behind.
[Wind and rain subsides]
All of this, the forest, the homes, the world outlasts us.
But this moment we share. We listen. We remember.
I tell you
someone will remember us
in the future.
I like it here.
Yes, this place will do.
Photo credit: Robert McFadzean
Musings is an audio experience created in response to the sculpture Xth Muse by Ian Hamilton Finlay in residence at Jupiter Artland sculpture park. The audio is a meditation on memory and history, featuring fragments of writing from Sappho, the ancient greek poet and subject of the sculpture. In this performance, audience were led to a spot just behind the sculpture and invited to sit, listen, observe the park and the sounds of the wildlife, and muse on what it means to be forgotten. Sappho is one of the ancient world's most famous writers but has only been preserved in fragments of her writing through the centuries.
You can experience this audio work here.