Emma Davis discusses how MoLI’s current exhibition presents the connections between nature and language.
Can poetry and storytelling provide us humans with a link to nature? Can words truly allow for us to reconnect with Mother Earth and in all her nuances? Does language have the power to show us the beauty and importance of nature as it transforms throughout the seasons? The Wild Earth exhibition at the Museum of Literature Ireland, also known as MoLI, has embarked on a mission to explore these questions by delving into the works of over ninety Irish writers of both past and present, from Oscar Wilde to Paula Meehan. The exhibition’s aim is to engage its audience in the importance of both nature and poetry by immersing its audience in sensually vivid imagery, accompanied by thought-provoking and reflective poems.
The exhibit uses projections and recorded audio to take its audience on a poetic journey of exploration into Ireland’s natural world. Slow paced videos of flowers blooming and of waves crashing against the rocks immerses one in a way that encourages slow thought and allows one to be fully present in the moment. Background noises are cancelled out, and one can only hear the soft-spoken and relaxing voices that effortlessly transition from poem to poem. The effectiveness of the exhibition’s sensuality enables for the fluidity of its storytelling to feel seamless. It brings to mind the mutability of the Earth’s seasons, which are constantly changing and evolving.
The texts and excerpts that can be found in Wild Earth perfectly imbue this sense of a reconnection between humanity and nature through poetic storytelling. One such excerpt is the quote “Black waters of my tortured past” from Oscar Wilde’s poem “Vita Nuova”, which brings forth memories of tumultuous times from one’s past while also highlighting the powerful depth that the sea beholds. The clever use of image provoking and memory inducing texts and excerpts creates a further intrinsic link between the human and natural world.
Throughout Wild Earth, the images and videos appear to become more alive when the texts and excerpts are heard. The way in which specific texts are paired with specific images makes space for a greater understanding of just how much of an inspiration nature has on poetry. One such example is when the exhibition projects the image of pebbles on a beach while the line “We made our past, and it made us” by Kerri ní Dochtartaigh can be heard. This poignantly symbolises how humans have shaped and have been shaped by our past, while also highlighting the role that nature has played in building the human world. It invokes the sense of transition of the past and encourages the audience to think about the vitality of nature in shaping our future.
In order to explore the link that poetry can create between humans and nature, the exhibition provides a diverse range of voices from Ireland’s past and present and features poems, both in English and in Irish. The use of language throughout plays an important role in reflecting how seasonal nature is as it creates a parallel between how nature changes, as does language itself. The Irish language recently has experienced a major revival, with more and more people expressing an interest in learning it properly after centuries of Irish people being punished for speaking the Mother tongue. Its presence in this exhibition mirrors the fluidity and transitions that exist within the many seasons of nature. Greater reflection for one’s history environment is encouraged. The experience allows for one to feel more connected and in tune with their home country.
Wild Earth is for those who love poetry, literature and nature. While its slow pace allows for one to feel more immersed in the experience, it may prove to be a bit of a challenge for those who require stimming in order to process what they are experiencing. In addition to this, it is quite text-heavy, meaning that the overload of poems might make it difficult for one to create a deeper understanding of the connection between our human existence and the natural world. While it is still possible to resonate on an emotional level with the exhibition, it might be a good idea to utilise fewer excerpts to allow for the texts to be more conative especially when paired with the perfect complimentary image and sound. This can prevent an overload of words that may lead to the deeper meanings behind the poems being lost. Fewer words may lead to a more powerful connection and understanding. I believe it would make for a more memorable and reflective experience, as well as making the exhibition itself more accessibility friendly for those who struggle with language.
To conclude, Wild Earth enables its audience to become explorers in investigating the link between poetry and nature. It examines how seasonal both nature and language are and invokes stories from one’s memory with its nature-based language and imagery. It encourages us to slow down and connect with the ground beneath us as well as the history of ourselves and others. The ability to connect is vital.