Jaya Darriet

Uncovering Layers

I made this project during my first year of master's studies in Los Angeles. It became a way for me to process and understand the new territories in which I found myself. "Uncovering Layers" is built around a mythology of burned mountain and forest spaces in Southern California, as well as periods of drought. It explores themes related to the region's climate emergencies. The project combines performative videos, photographs, and sculptures molded on rocks and tree trunks from the dry riverbed in my backyard. The ceramic pieces were made with paper clay and recycled clay. They were fired in an experimental paper kiln with wood, sawdust, local vegetation, sands and algae.