Consisting of several large nets, this installation is a woven offering, an altar, a prayer, and a testament to my connection to the ocean goddess Yemayá and the challenges faced by South Florida due to rising sea levels. Created from hundreds of net weavings begun in 2021, the work is a mediation through repetitive action. Layered and tied together, the weavings utilize various materials, including monofilament warps, cotton crochet wefts, hand-dyed cotton yarns, and repurposed wire cords and rope. I also consider the aesthetics of "ghost nets" – abandoned fishing nets that become entangled with debris in the ocean – representative of our destructive relationship with the ocean.
Beyond its aesthetic qualities, "A circuit of cosmic energy" is deeply rooted in the Afro-Cuban religion Santería. Yemayá, the goddess of the ocean, embodies the immense power and nurturing nature of the sea. Her worship serves as a framework of survival and resistance, a legacy stemming from the resilience of the enslaved people who practiced Santería in secret during Spain's colonial rule. The nets used in the installation create shadows, echoing the practice of Santería in shadow spaces during colonial times.
With rising sea levels threatening the very existence of Miami, the nets act as a poignant prayer and plea.