Water Radio: Liquid Intelligence is a series of contemplative canoe and kayak outings and interviews in South Florida. Participants share stories, listen deeply, and discuss teachings offered by water.
Water Radio invokes the notion of radio as a listening and broadcast technology. How can we learn about a place while situated directly in that place? How can we listen to what the earth is communicating to us, while also communicating in reciprocity?
This immersive audiovisual live art is designed for small groups or paired interaction. During these intimate events, participants will experience hidden ecology as it is made audible. They’re also invited to read, make songs, poems, audio postcards, and cyanotypes processed with water. This project extends participants’ sensory understanding of place.
Water Radio‘s most recent initiative was Reading Camp. Reading Camp was a monthly series of communal reading of poetic and lyrical texts during group kayak excursions. Unlike a traditional book club, the Reading Camp does not require homework. During each group poetry reading, we cast off the isolation of this ordinary activity. What happens when we read poetry aloud to/with/for other people, but also to an audience of the land and the sea? How do the mangroves respond to human authors? What kind of poetry does the ocean enjoy?
Six Reading Camp sessions were scheduled in collaboration with O, Miami Poetry Festival:
- 2019: October 2, November 6, December 4
- 2020: January 8, February 5, March 4
Reserve your spot for one or more of the sessions at:
tinyurl.com/kayak-reading-camp
Please email to inquire about sliding scale pricing.
Each Reading Camp gathering features 3-4 poems and a gentle kayak paddle on Biscayne Bay. Weather permitting, Reading Camp will conclude with a campfire and s’mores. Each participant will also go home with a copy of the reading.
Read about the inspiration for Reading Camp here: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=6900&context=lkcsb_research
The events takes place on the homeland of Tequesta, Miccosukee, and Seminole people. Learn more about current issues and actions to protect the watershed here: https://www.lovetheeverglades.org/
A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales for Reading Camp will be donated to Love the Everglades.
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In June 2019, Water Radio presented its second public program hosted by BFI and Bridge Initiative: the WEIRD MIAMI Kayak Float. Expanding on BFI’s Weird Miami Bus Tour program, I guided a relational kayak outing as a form of experiential learning through the mangrove tunnels at Oleta State Park. The kayak float at Oleta was the first in a series of Weird Miami Water Radio events to be co-presented by Bridge and BFI. Participants experienced hidden ecology made audible through contemplative prompts informed by environmentally-focused healing practices, engaging in a series of sensory experiences focusing on reflection and listening.
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In May 2019, Water Radio presented its first public program, a soundcamp to celebrate International Dawn Chorus Day. This overnight, outdoor event is limited to 10 people. If you’re interested, please reserve your spot here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/
Water Radio is funded in part by The Ellies, Miami’s visual arts awards, presented by Oolite Arts. Additional support is provided by the Office of the Provost at Florida International University.
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