Swoon's 'Submerged Motherlands' Installation Transforms Brooklyn Museum Gallery into Dreamlike Environment
Between April 11 and August 24, 2014, the Brooklyn Museum presented 'Submerged Motherlands,' an installation by artist Swoon, also known as Caledonia Curry, in the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Gallery. This immersive installation mimicked a jungle village, featuring a prominent tree adorned with paper cutouts and two boats from Swoon’s river projects (Mississippi 2006, Hudson 2008, Venice Biennale 2009). The space was populated with mirrored cardboard figures, including Incan mothers. Addressing themes of personal narrative and community crisis, the work was a response to Hurricane Sandy (2012) and the ancient Doggerland tsunami. It also served as a tribute to Swoon’s mother, who passed away during its creation, reflecting her civic-minded activism and exploration of shelter and exposure.
Key facts
- Swoon's 'Submerged Motherlands' was on view at the Brooklyn Museum from April 11 to August 24, 2014
- The installation occupied the entire Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Gallery on the museum's fifth floor
- Central elements included a large tree with paper cutouts and two boats from previous river projects
- The work responded to Hurricane Sandy (2012) and the ancient Doggerland tsunami
- Swoon's mother passed away during the project's development, making it a memorial
- The artist has conducted river projects on the Mississippi (2006), Hudson (2008), and at the Venice Biennale (2009)
- Swoon's practice combines street art with social activism, alongside artists like Ai Wei Wei and Shirin Neshat
- The installation featured mirrored cardboard figures, maritime motifs, and found materials
Entities
Artists
- Swoon
- Caledonia Curry
- Ai Wei Wei
- Shirin Neshat
- Sarah Sze
- Ann Lauterbach
Institutions
- Brooklyn Museum
- Venice Biennale
Locations
- New York
- Brooklyn
- United States
- 200 Eastern Parkway
- Washington Ave
- Hudson River
- Mississippi River
- New Orleans
- Venice
- Italy
- Haiti
- Atlantic Coast
- Great Britain
- Europe
- Doggerland