The Instinct To Act: Ritualistic Helplessness
K I E R S T E N K R A N B E R G August 8 - 29
Sacramento Temporary Contemporary
As mammals we are inherently connected to nature and the animalistic side of our existence, but as humans our intelligence creates a desire to categorize and organize all things surrounding us. This photographic series explores the push and pull between chaos and order that rages within us and is translated in our habitats. Nature's tendency to operate randomly and with disregard to our imagined classifications is in direct conflict with our need to be in control of things. This struggle is calmed with illusions of regulation often in the form of rituals and fables. In Russia on the dawn of the First World War, in an effort to thwart off a cholera outbreak, the women of a small village assembled at midnight, unbeknownst to the men. Nine maidens let down their hair and three widows covered their heads with white shawls. All of the women stripped to their undergarments and gathered plows, sickles, animal skulls and other threatening tools. They plowed a large ditch around the village while yelling and shrieking. The ditch was meant to let free the healing powers of Matka Ziema, the Slavic Mother Earth deity. If one of the men from the village awoke and stumbled upon the ceremony, he was killed. Interestingly, just the notion that something is being done to restore order is often enough to satisfy our instinct to act even though it may have no direct effect on the disorder. Being helpless to control chaos or nature is different in our minds than feeling helpless. This coming to terms with the inevitable and uncontrollable is a challenge we all face at some point and it is what links us all together as people.
Opening Reception
August 8, 6 p.m.
 1616 Del Paso Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95817
Also at The Temp in August: Ralphael Delgado, Ved Chirayath, Pablo Galvan, Jessee Vasquez and Richard Ratcliff.
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Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 4 - 8 p.m.
Sunday: noon - 3 p.m. Or by appointment. Call 916-921-1224
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