La Mère Libre
Access the video of the installation here
< https://vimeo.com/892582730 >
La Mère Libre is a body of work that emerged from observing monuments of water fountains in urban spaces as contested sites of colonial domination, particularly in cities such as London and Zürich. The series unfolds as an act of deconstruction: fountains are dismantled, their engineered flows—designed to defy gravity and impose control over water—are redirected and liberated. Systems that confine water’s natural pathways and exploit its vitality are unraveled, revealing the tensions between domination and resistance.
Through fragmented textiles, dynamic video projections, and an evocative soundscape, La Mère Libre explores the parallels between the colonial manipulation of water—through fountains, dams, and other structures—and the broader domination of land, resources, and marginalized lives. Fountains, as objects of spectacle, rely on water’s innate force to escape and defy confinement, making its resistance central to their value. The tactile interplay of fabric and water visuals reflects this ongoing tension, while the soundscape immerses viewers in the cyclical struggle of water to reclaim its agency, resist commodification, and flow freely.
By liberating water from imposed structures, La Mère Libre imagines the fluid possibilities of counter-worlds—alternative ways of being that prioritize connection, resilience, and interdependence. This work invites viewers to reflect: What does it mean to allow water to reclaim its natural pathways? And how does this act of restoration challenge the systems that alienate us from our lands, histories, and each other?
La Mère Libre (2023),installation view, fabric, metal, paper prints of video stills, stitching, 150 x 200 cm.
La Mère Libre (2023),installation view, wood, fabric, metal, dimensions variable for installations.