Dena Eber

: Part I. Image 1

: Part I. Image 2

: Part I. Image 3

: Part I. Image 4

: Part II. Image 1

: Part II. Image 2

: Part II. Image 3

: Part II. Image 4

: Part III. Image 1

: Part III. Image 2

: Part III. Image 3

: Part III. Image 4

: Part III. Image 5

: Part III. Image 6

: Part III. Image 7

: Epilogue. Image 1

: Epilogue. Image 2

: One

Land as Theater

When I moved onto new property in May of 2023, I encountered native ancient energy that at times reflected war and greed but also revealed spirituality and love. The only other time I experienced this was in Israel, the land of my heritage. When I started this artwork, I sought to learn from the energies encrusted in the land; where I live as an inhabitant, my country as an American, and Israel as a Jew. My larger project has each of these places as a part (where I live, my country, Israel), plus an epilogue with reflections for peace. Included are samples from each part.

As the events in southern Israel and Gaza on October 7th, 2023 unfolded, my work took on new meaning, and I searched for parallels in time, at least 2000 to 3000 years in each place, to better understand human energy, behaviors, and their belief in God. I began to think about my place in time, reflecting on whose land it is anyway. Even though I hold the deed to the land where I live, in my heart I know that I don’t own it. My project is about uncovering the human conflict between wanting a place to call home that expresses one’s roots, and a perceived ownership of land.

My lens reveals small truths that lie in front of me, that a greater understanding of the past embedded in the land is entwined to ultimate peace. Each time I click the shutter, connect to the land, and converse with the spirits of the past, I am committing a political act. As in prayer, I give thanks and ask forgiveness at once.