Serpent Twins

Empire of Dirt

Artengine proudly fueled the creative fire of Maker Faire Ottawa 2018, bringing together innovators, artists, and makers from across the region. One of the highlights of the event was the captivating appearance of the Serpent Twins, an awe-inspiring fire installation by the renowned performance art collective, Empire of Dirt. This mesmerizing spectacle showcased the power of art and technology to ignite imaginations and push the boundaries of creativity.

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The Jormungand (Midgard) and Julunggul (Rainbow) serpents sit between 2 worlds; the old world that needed and revered them and the present which has shunned such monsters as fears metamorphosed into mythical form. Our present world has left behind these harbingers of destruction and physical embodiments of “the ultimate task” (usually the task of slaying such beasts) as so much fantasy. Much as a child puts away his imaginary playthings when they become an adult, the dreadful serpent that exists in so many of the world’s cultures’ myths has been put aside. All these now modern civilizations went through this same rite of passage; that of dismissing myth and legend to depend merely on science and fact. Our two serpents will render in metal and cast off materials these mythical beasts by using modern science; restoring ancient mythos to the these steel beasts.
Dark and with the power of fire, the serpent Jormungand winds his way through the landscape. Bright and with the light of the earth, the Julunggul serpent slithers to meet with her dark twin. They both have a function within mythology. The earth was shaped by Jormungand, who threatened to swallowed it and all it contains in a fit of anger. Man’s champion Thor, was able to trick Jormungand into biting his own tail and encircling the earth to stop the serpent from ending everything with his fearsome anger seething in the depths of the ocean. Julunggul the bright keeper of knowledge helps the denizens of the world by swallowing boys and spitting them out as men, completing their rite of passage.
 
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We are thrilled to announce that Jon Sarriugarte and his Empire of Dirt team - of Burning Man and La Machine France notoriety - will be joining us to captivate attendees with their hand-forged ‘Serpent Twins’ and ‘Electrobite’ mobile sculptures. These impressive machines will treat crowds to mind-blowing light and sound shows and will be on-site for the full event to interact with guests.