Ecstatic Corpse

2025 - Ongoing

 

Ecstatic Corpse explores the capacity for elation, sensuous relation, and excess post-expiration: the potential for ecstasy in processes of bodily decomposition. Resulting from a year of practice-based research in the woods and fields surrounding Troy, NY and in the studio, this project will result in an immersive multimedia installation. Multi-channel video of a decaying cow body shrouded in bioplastic will form the backdrop for an abstracted, exploded and decayed body cast from animal corpses and medical manikins. Undulating waves of fly and maggot sounds envelop the space. Resisting coalescence, the installation instead leans into juxtaposition, assemblage, and montage, using heterogenous audio, video, and sculptural elements to hold unresolved tension between the seeming opposites of living/ dead, soul/ matter, singular/ multiple, and preservation/ decomposition.

To date, this project has involved three areas of experimental research and practice:

  1. Auditory and visual recording of decaying cow flesh and bioplastic in a forest environment: stereo and ambisonic sound, macro and 4k video, timelapse video, and trail camera footage.

  2. Silicone molding and casting (wax, silicone, bioplastic) of found animal corpses in the area surrounding Troy, NY. Including: deer fawn, possum, pigeon, shrews.

  3. Ongoing bioplastic and biomaterials research for sculptural applications.

Sound design and composition by Senem Pirler. With thanks to Branda Miller & Steve Pierce for hosting part of the project’s development on their land.

ABOVE: footage sample from the project, work in progress.

BELOW: documentation from the project’s process

CREATURES FEATURED IN VIDEO &/OR SCULPTURE:

Living:

Blowfly species (Calliphoridae family); Flesh fly species (Sarcophagidae family); American Carrion Beetle (Necrophila americana); Carrion Beetle (Nicrophorus tomentosus); Gold-and-brown Rove Beetle (Ontholestes cingulatus); Sidewalk Mite (Balaustiinae spp.); Green Frog (Lithobates clamitans); Pickerel Frog (Lithobates palustris); Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus); Raven (Corvus corax); Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)

Dead:

Hereford cow (Bos taurus); White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus); Rock Dove (pigeon) (Columba livia); Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana); Northern Short-tailed Shrew (Blarina brevicauda)