River healers is a site-specific performance where three healers toss their lengthy hair into the Harlem River from Ward’s Island Bridge. Their hair is made of cotton textile dyed with red cabbage, which acts as a natural PH indicator substance that changes color when in contact with water. The healers hair starts out purple, indicating neutral PH, when it comes in contact with non-neutral water the dye reacts from green when its alkaline, to red, indicating acidic water. Harlem’s river PH level revealed through this intimate gesture indicates the river water’s health. River healers aims to offer alternatives to our dominant water imaginaries and to build a closer relationship between rivers and citizens.

Performers: deborah castillo, Carine Gibert and Kiyo Gutiérrez. Photography by Pistor Orendain. Costume design by Alejandra de Zulueta. This piece was made with the generous support of the Franklin Furnace Fund, 2023.

Photograph by Xinan Ran.