The Listening Root

The unknown, as is often in the case throughout history is revealed only over the course of time. The origins of Caroline Jones Liminal Vessel series is “rooted“ in history, mystery, heritage, wisdom. Vessels carrying characteristics of time and place. The unique environment of the California desert surrounding the Salton Sea and its history is both magical and tragic. The existence of the Bombay Beach community is a profound story of boom and bust, of a man-made opportunity, equally devastated by its mismanagement, as the case seems to be. “ The Listening Root “ placed during the Bombay Beach Biennale for visitors to experience, now at the entrance of the Bombay Beach Museum of Bombay Beach adds to the incongruity, the surreal, the playful, the determination of the communities inhabitants, the resilience of the artists staking a claim in the environment, and the creativity of those willing to endure the hardship and express themselves unabated. “ The Listening Root “ struck a cord in me, reflecting upon earths enduring materials of clay, surrounded by rusted steel of the industrial age, and anchored by a QR code that tells it story. It’s lyrical composition draws attention and demands close inspection. Like all good art , the greatest pleasure and reward come from time taken to look and feel and experience that which has been created.

Witnessing the Listening Root, at various different stages.

There are places where the land listens back. Not with ears, but with time. What is given here is not lost— only carried differently. Leave a Memory What did you release here? A thought. A name. A moment. Something you are ready to let go of, or something you want to be remembered. Add your memory to the Listening Root. It is still listening.