Saint Agnieska, Patroness of the Waterfront
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		Saint Agnieska, an ongoing body of work over the last few years, originally grew out a community-based project where I collaborated with a sound artist and a dancer to re-create a journey along the East River. For this project, I interviewed many activists (a majority of whom are also artists) involved in local environmental efforts throughout North Brooklyn. At the same time, I was developing a long form radio program based on research gathered from these interviews. Feeling that a straight documentary approach would seem very dry, I wanted to bring a dramatic element to the project. Hence, the birth of Saint Agnieska - patron saint of the North Brooklyn Waterfront, whose life story unfolds on a riverside journey highlighting toxic hot spots along the way. Roadside memorials commemorating lost loved ones along with sites such as Medjugore and Fatima (reputed for appearances of the Virgin Mary) influenced this body of work. As part of the 2006 CONFLUX Art/Technology Festival held in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, I led a bicycle tour along the “Trail of St. Agnieska” to view sites of environmental damage where Agnieska had appeared. Were these sculptural memorials left by Agnieska’s followers or by the saint herself? This is for the viewer to decide.
Listen to excerpt from St. Agnieska Patroness of the Waterfront Radio Program