Nancy Nowacek

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POWER OBJECTS & (IM)POSSIBLE DEMANDS: A WALLKILL RITUAL
2025-2026 






Performance, Installation 



Power Objects and (Im)possible Demands is a two-part participatory performance enlisting the planetary power of water to ignite change. 

Inspired by ancient spiritual practices and contemporary political discord, it invites participants to sculpt hand-held ritual objects in clay that symbolize a need that seems unmeetable, a force that requires countering, and/or the power to effect change in collaboration with the more-than-human world. Freeze-cast Power Objects made from Wallkill River will be released back to the Wallkill to activate its supernatural forces. Joining with the Rondout, then spilling into the Hudson, then the Atlantic, and the world, each object will set an intention towards a future we desire.  Incorporated into the Wallkill ritual is the Algonquin Water Song, created by Irene Wawatie Jerome, an Anshinabe/Cree, to be sung to water around the world by women. The history of the song and its creators, the melody and lyrics can be found here: www.singthewatersong.com. 

Special thanks to MJ Shepard-Nusbaum for introducing the Algonquin Water Song to me.




PROJECT CREDITS

Wallkill Futures
Director: Lize Mogel
Participating Artists: Fictilis, Matthew Friday,
sTo Len, Lize Mogel, Nancy Nowacek

Partners:
Unison Arts
Wallkill River Watershed Alliance
Hudson River Watershed Alliance

Power Objects and (Im)Possible Futures
Power Object artists: Lindsey Cormack,
Lisa Doliver, Ben Gilman, Steve Gilman, Leilani Gonzales, Alex Harris, Lize Mogel, Allison Moore,  
MJ Nusbaum, Karen Seyfert
Thought partner and assistant: MJ Nusbaum 
Construction support: Matthew Friday 
Design support: Blake Gobel 
Housing support: Marina Zurkow, Dakuu & Gonzales 
Emotional support: John Sharp
Performance Documentation: Sean Hemmerle




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©2025 Nancy Nowacek
Nancy Nowacek artist is a research-based artist, designer, and educator working in visual art, public art, social practice, and socially-engaged contexts.