Connecting to Land - Hikaru Dorodango
Hikaru Dorodangos are spheres of dirt that are polished to a shine. The process originated with school children in Japan, and the term translates to “shiny mud dumpling”. As I delve more into my therapeutic art studies, I am learning more about how doing art is a way that we can psychosomatically release energy. Meaning, we build tension as we go through our day. Energy cannot be created or destroyed, so we have to put that energy somewhere, and art is a good way to externalize that energy. Dorodangos are cool because when you think about it that way, they are these little magic orbs of that energy, guardians holding all of our stresses and traumas.
Hikaru Dorodangos are spheres of dirt that are polished to a shine. The process originated with school children in Japan, and the term translates to “shiny mud dumpling”. As I delve more into my therapeutic art studies, I am learning more about how doing art is a way that we can psychosomatically release energy. Meaning, we build tension as we go through our day. Energy cannot be created or destroyed, so we have to put that energy somewhere, and art is a good way to externalize that energy. Dorodangos are cool because when you think about it that way, they are these little magic orbs of that energy, guardians holding all of our stresses and traumas.
Additionally, they can symbolically hold so much meaning depending on where we collect the dirt to construct them. They can hold memories and turn into keepsakes for places that are important to us. They are indicative of the land they come from. So, if a dorodango is from a rocky place, they might have tiny pebbles exposed. If they are from a place with red soil, they are going to reflect that. Each one is unique and special.
Crevice Spiny Lizard, Enchanted Rock, TX
Early March I visited Enchanted Rock in Fredericksberg, TX. The ground on the rock itself and the surrounding area glistens with granite. The place feels prehistoric. Being on the rock, I can imagine plesiosaurses swimming around me when the rock was most likely submerged in water a billion years ago. I collected a sample of soil from the town to make a dorodango. It’s important to be mindful of where you collect the soil. You don’t want to disturb nature preserves or disturb habitats. *Also don’t take soil from oversees, as it could hold insects, seeds, or some other specimen that could be invasive to our habitats at home if it were to permeate. While on the subject, it’s important to acknowledge that the land we are on is stolen land through colonization and manifest destiny. It’s important to appreciate nature, but also recognize that it is not ours. The land that Fredericksberg is on belongs to the Coahuiltecan, Kickapoo, Lipan Apache, Comanche, and Jumanos tribes.
The Process…
Step 1. I like to set up a table outside, headphones on, and iced tea available. Be prepared to be outside working with muddy hands for about 4 hours
Step 2. Sift the soil with a medium sifter to remove large rocks, grass pieces, bugs, if you can help it, and other “impurities.”
Step 3. On a board, tray, or tub, take a fistful of soil and sprinkle water over your pile of dirt, and mix it up. It should have a cookie-dough-like texture. Intuitively add water and soil until you are able to start rolling the mixture into a ball. Stop adding water and/or soil when the mixture becomes sticky and tacky. The ball should remind you of orange skin.
Step 4. Roll the ball in your hands and experience the awesomeness of this texture. Switch the ball from one hand to the other and ever so gently apply pressure. During this stage, we are slowly removing water from the ball.
Step 5. Do not start this step until the ball is dry or nearly dry. Depending on how big your ball is or how much water your soil retains, you may need to do this step the next day. Take the sifted dry soil and begin rubbing your ball.
Step 6. Sift your soil to be even finer, or dust like. You can do this with a tea strainer, a pestle and mortar, or just collect the dust from your tray. With the even finer dust rub and polish your ball until it is shined to your liking.
Step 7. Take a soft cloth and remove all the dust from your polished orb. You can continue the polishing process indefinitely. Experiment with rubbing your ball on a glass bottle or bowl to shine it more. You can use waxes on your dorodangos, use different polishing cloths, the sky is the limit!
Step 8. These orbs are ephemeral. They may appear to be indestructible glass, but alas, they are just shiny mud. Store them in a dry place to protect them. Or do as you will!
Enchanted Rock, TX
Hikaru Dorodangos
Enchanted Rock, TX
More Inspiration
One of my all time favorite artists that I’ve always looked up to is a Cuban woman artist, Ana Mendieta. She moved to Mexico and began creating land art with her body. Her art evokes feelings of primal femininity, and also taps into the ephemeral nature of land and life. Ironically, she did not live a long life and suffered a tragic death, which seems to give her work an even more spiritual meaning. I can imagine that creating the pieces she made caused emotional release when making the work. Her work also rejects perfectionism and is very intuitive. Her work just feels like raw life. I love it.
Silueta, Ana Mendieta
