“Most Indigenous peoples have a land-based, holistic, and relational worldview that is both spiritual and material. It is an expression of their identity, culture, and values that encompasses their livelihood, community, and continuity of their traditions.”
(Kimmerer, 2013).
Kimmerer, R. W. (2013). Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants. Milkweed Editions.
Look—over there it was thirty centimeters high. Then the hail came. I showed it to you in the video. The ground turned white. This whole area, all the way to the village, turned white. Everything across there—look at this land—there was so much grass that you could have grazed it and had full milk production for two months. And then the hail comes, and the next day it’s like this—smashed flat, burned, like a frying pan, just like you saw. And then you tell me—nothing’s left.”
Vachon, John, photographer. Ravalli County, Montana. Lamb immediately after birth. Ravalli County United States Montana, 1942. Apr. Photograph.
Vachon, John, photographer. Ravalli County, Montana. New lamb a few minutes after birth, trying to get on its feet. United States Ravalli County Montana, 1942. Apr.
Vachon, John, photographer. Ravalli County, Montana. New lamb about five minutes after birth on his legs for the first time. Montana United States Ravalli County, 1942.
WHERE THE WATER FLOWS is an interdisciplinary artistic research project exploring the intricate relationships between land, cultural identity, and ecological sustainability. Focusing on traditional practices such as farming, shepherding, and land stewardship, the project examines how these practices foster ecological balance, cultural resilience, and community well-being. Drawing inspiration from Indigenous Knowledge Systems, it considers relational approaches to land care as a lens to explore parallels with local ecological practices. While rural Greek communities serve as a primary research example, the methodologies and insights developed are applicable to other regions worldwide where people maintain deep, land-based knowledge systems.
Where the Water Flows builds upon research in documentary photography, cultural anthropology, and environmental studies, but its originality lies in its interdisciplinary approach—melding analog and digital storytelling, scientific research, and community participation. By examining ecological sustainability not only as a scientific concern but also as a cultural and artistic inquiry, this project contributes to broader discussions on environmental ethics, technological influence, and cultural preservation. At a time when climate change and industrial expansion threaten ecosystems and cultural heritage, this work underscores the importance of local ecological knowledge, sustainable practices, and historical memory. Furthermore, by linking the experiences of Indigenous communities with those of rural Greek communities, the project fosters a cross-cultural dialogue that challenges dominant Western narratives in environmental discourse. Through collaborations with scientists, artists, and local stakeholders, Where the Water Flows reimagines land as a living archive—one that holds the stories of both its people and its ecosystems.