The Aqua Project, is the culmination of many years of study and a passionate interest in the natural world and our relationship to it and each other. This evening of dance is inspired by my love of the sea, the sheer scale of the diversity of species within its waters, and the cultures that rely on its bounty. As a child I was always curious about the ocean and, with Rachel Carson’s book “The Sea Around Us” in hand, I spent countless hours exploring the tidal pools along the Maine coastline. 

My relationship with these tidal pools has been instrumental in my artistic evolution and an intrinsic part of my personal history. A yearly ritual to reconnect to the ocean has become a barometer for the sea at large. Over the past thirty years, I have seen these pools change dramatically: new predators have arrived, fewer starfish cling to the rock pool walls, the almost imperceptible march of the periwinkle herd has diminished and the once ubiquitous sea urchin is now harder to find. Although change (sometimes dramatic) is fundamental to the natural world, there is something different happening in these tidal pools. These changes are a call from the ocean. For meaningful change to occur, our response requires further exploration, discovery, conservation and the preservation of a healthy ocean. I know that something can be done and I believe that people can and will make a difference when moved to do so. I hope to evoke people’s memories of their own visits to the ocean through dance and artistic experience. I hope to re-awaken their curiosity for the wonders and mysteries of the world. This is my highest goal in creating The Aqua Project: to create a physical and emotional connection with the hearts and minds of the audience. I want them to think about their own relationships, with one another and with the ocean. I believe that this individual experience is a critical component to inspire action and long-lasting change. 

© Kristin McArdle, 2008