FLOOD 2.0
FLOOD 2.0 is a multi-disciplinary installation created by the three-person artist collaborative, Water Women. The collaborative consists of multi-media artist and educator, Krisanne Baker; myself, and mixed-media, eco-artist, Leslie Sobel. Each are established artists whose individual practices focus on water in the context of climate change.
Flood 2.0 links future apocalyptic flood predictions to the ancient flood narrative of Noah and the world’s first apocalyptic flood. In the original Noah story, the Earth was flooded as a result of human greed, selfishness and immorality. Similarly, the predicted future apocalyptic flooding will occur as a result of the same human behaviors, which, this time, have caused significant environmental damage to the Earth itself.
Comprised of 3 video projections, 45+ scrolls painted to evoke the motions of flood waters, a make-shift boat, sails and mast, and the performance of a Greek Chorus telling the story of Noa, the lone female survivor whose name in Hebrew means “action,” FLOOD 2.0’s goal is to use art, flood mythology and history to inspire community dialogue on local water issues. FLOOD 2.0 was first installed from April 28 - June 2, 2023 at the Five Points Gallery in Torrington, CT, a small inland city with a history of catastrophic flooding. The project’s videos incorporated documentary images of Torrington’s past floods.
FLOOD 2.0 was subsequently installed at the Ely Center Of Contemporary Art in New Haven, CT from April 14 - June 2, 2024. New Haven, which is situated along the Connecticut shoreline, is particularly vulnerable to flooding from the Connecticut and Quinnipiac Rivers and from Long Island Sound. The project included a walking tour of one of New Haven’s communities at significant risk for flooding.
FLOOD 2.0: A GREEK CHORUS
by Susan Hoffman Fishman
I am called Noa. N-O-A.
Meaning action.
My flood is the second one.
The first one is well known.
That time evil, greed and immorality were punished by an angry God.
This time evil, greed and immorality are being punished by the Earth itself.
We were warned. Decades and decades ago.
There was inaction everywhere.
I saw it coming. I built a boat.
I painted it red.
For my own anger.
For courage.
For life.
For the blood of millions who perished.
I gave it my name: Noa.
Meaning action.
My mythical ancestor saw what I have seen.
Evil, greed and immorality.
That time the water was meant to cleanse the world,
To start again.
This time the water will be an end to us.
We were warned. Decades and decades ago.
There was inaction everywhere.
I saw it coming. I built a boat.
I painted it red.
For my own anger.
For courage.
For life.
For the blood of millions who perished.
I gave it my name: Noa.
Meaning action.
I don’t have any companions two by two.
It’s just me. I am one.
Who else is out here I don’t know.
There are no promises this time that I will survive
Or rainbows after the storm as a sign for new beginnings.
We were warned. Decades and decades ago.
There was inaction everywhere.
I saw it coming. I built a boat.
I painted it red.
For my own anger.
For courage.
For life.
For the blood of millions who perished.
I gave it my name: Noa.
Meaning action.
In my boat, there was a sail
Made from two tarps and covered in paint
From my own paintings,
From my life’s work.
The sail is gone; so is the mast.
So is my life’s work.
We were warned. Decades and decades ago.
There was inaction everywhere.
I saw it coming. I built a boat.
I painted it red.
For my own anger.
For courage.
For life.
For the blood of millions who perished.
I gave it my name: Noa.
Meaning action.
In my boat, I see the tops of mountains below me.
My head touches the clouds.
For as far as I can see, there is water.
Although I am afraid and there is destruction everywhere
I still witness beauty.
I still feel life.
I still hope for the Earth.
Remember my name.
I am called Noa.