Water Over Stone No. 4

Water Over Stone No. 4, 2021 (excerpt)
Running time: 22:50 minutes / HD / colour

Camera: Sylvia Safdie
Editing: Gabrielle Alain, Sylvia Safdie


Movement of water over a stone in Lake Memphrémagog in the Eastern Townships.

In 2003, while gazing at the movement of water in Lake Memphrémagog , I became captivated by the flow of water engulfing a stone. It was a windy afternoon and the water was gushing in rhythmic swirls as it interacted with the stone. It was the stone that I identified with – my body became the stone and I was enveloped by the forces of water as it interacted with my body

Since then I have often returned to the same spot. With the changing of seasons, the level of water is constantly changing, sometimes revealing and sometimes concealing the stone. I have observed and recorded hours of footage, abandoning myself to the life force expressed by the interaction of water and stone. Chance is inherent in nature – it is echoed by change and the unknown that unfolds in the making of art.