Layale Chaker & Sarafand - Radio Afloat

Radio Afloat, the vision of a radio lost at sea, evokes a reflection on the intertwined destinies of people and the natural world, which manifest even louder in times of collective pain; a commentary on the ebb and flow of politics of power, conflict and dominance that exacerbate the vulnerability of the land and those who tend to it. As ideologies clash and agendas unfold, the fragility of our ecosystems and the livelihoods they support hangs in the balance. Through this exploration, Chaker hopes to illuminate the delicate balance in the interplay between human agency and environmental resilience. The radio lost at sea becomes a vessel for introspection, prompting us to confront the consequences of our choices and the urgency of collective action. In the face of adversity, it is a reminder of our shared responsibility to nurture and protect the planet that sustains us all. Conceived as a suite of intersecting movements, it echoes The Trace of Blue Passion, a poem by Lebanese author Ounsi el-Hage:... And just as birds flock wisely I trekked from ocean to ocean From peak to branch From night to night to night Until I was hit With the prestige of sweet madness. After we witnessed the extent of birds' wisdom I remind you that it is in the nature of creatures To harm themselves. I was a turtle on the rocks Engraved on tree trunks and bolsters Engraved on rings Engraved on the ankles of mountains. And I saw space So I saw space And when I saw it's beauty, I fell in love with a dove who carried me. And when she smelled, adoringly, the earth on me She laid me down in the soil And from the dove I raised myself... (translated from Arabic by Sara Elkamel)