Florence Rice Hitchcock and the Theory of the Soft Earth

(2015-17)

Created with and performed by Candice Salyers.

An exploration of the physics and geologic properties of interconnection and indeterminacy. The story of a forgotten nineteenth-century geologist (an amalgam of actual people) who dedicated her life to deciphering and chanelling her prophetic visions into a theory of planetary interdependency. A tale of how a valuing of constancy, solidity, and measurability can soften into a greater understanding and acceptance of change as the only true constant.

Florence's fictive "Soft Earth Theory" predicted future scientific understanding (quantum physics, chaos theory, environmental science) and forefronted social responsibility. It was constructed from pieces of spiritual and scientific ideas across cultures and time periods, and stretched from the 4th century forward to meet current understanding of the role of uncertainty in how the universe functions, and the effects of humans on the earth and other species.

"try to remember...failing that, invent." —Monique Wittig

Subjects:

Imaginary biography

Quantum cosmology

Social ecology

Chaotic behavior in systems

Causality (Physics)

Geology, Stratigraphic--Anthropocene

Mercy