Reflection

The subconscious wonder of a collective global phobia, climate change, has been blurring the lines of fear and reality. The first memory of oceans I had was one where I sat on a dock, head on my papa’s shoulders, enjoying the last glimpse of a falling sun. Legs, dangling from the wood, swirling the water. Now, as I look upon the same dock, wanting to relive that memory, I see only its submerged corpse under the rocking waves of stenching, murky water. This is the tangible result of sea levels rising, an event of direct correlation with climate change. The potential of memories and lives washed away is becoming more and more of a looming threat, with fear becoming the main drive and motivation for climate change awareness projects. I chose to represent the ominous dread that looms over coastal communities within my piece as I, as well as the generations to follow in my hometown, are some of the most directly influenced lives. The constant shadow of fear that towers over the future of uncertainty for citizens like me is projected through the movements showcasing upward struggle as plastic (the props used in this film are all bio-friendly) engulfs and at last, drowns me. The mix of beauty and elegance in ballet with the cruel yet harsh reality of “death by a thousand waves” truly brings out the contrast of what the world would be with just small steps of climate change initiatives.