The Cenote Ring
Video, 11:00 min, 2021
This video investigates the symbolism, history, and myths surrounding the underground bodies of water forming the cenote ring in Yucatan, Mexico. It addresses the complexities and tensions of belief systems and worldviews by connecting the historical significance of this geological feature, created by an asteroid impact, with contemporary societal issues such as consumerism, expansion, speed, and resource accumulation amid an ecological crisis.
The moving image piece is part of a multimedia project that shifts across painting, performance, and installation. It is accompanied by an immersive sound design inspired by natural cycles, collapse, and grief, developed through field recording and playing real-time API near-earth object data, generative and granular synth techniques as well as score and sound design in full Spatial Audio created by Bon Music Vision.
Exhibitions:
Display Fever at Metamorphika, 2024
Studio Berlin, Mexico City, 2025
Soho House, Mexico City, 2025
CCA Goldsmiths, 2025
The Cenote Ring at Soho House and Studio Berlin, Mexico
Collaborators:
Audio - Bon Music Vision
3D Environment and Avatar in Unreal - Costas Kazantzis
Music and Voice - Montañera
Performance and Movement - Pierre Babbage
Spoken Word - Paola Estrella
3D Scans - Bon Music Vision Costumes - Gabrielle Venguer
Editing - Paola Estrella
Technical Support - Iker Orozco
Camera Assistant - Helga Dorothea Fannon
Drone Filming - Israel Casas
Underwater Filming - Benjamin Estrella Contreras
Narration - Jose Chi, Paola Estrella,
Benjamin Estrella Gabilondo, Karla Estrella
Costume design - Gabrielle Venguer
Lighting design - Beril Yavuz
Director of videography: Bahia Ayos
Photographer: Stylian Tastsoglou
Inspired by John Muir, Maria Popova, Charles Darwin, Ashley King, Carlos Castaneda, Jacobo Grinberg.
In conversation with Pita Arreola
Supported by
Arts Council England, Arte Lagos, Stone Nest, Orleans House Gallery, and HS Projects.