Tag: Seema Lisa Pandya

As most of you know by now, Pierre left us on February 26th. It’s now mid-April, and I can’t say it’s getting any easier. The waves of grief still surge with great intensity—but, as he instructed us:

not to worry:
you had your birth
given you / you
will be
given your death —

in between
keep moving

Pierre Joris (1946-2025)

And so, we move on—back to the work he so fully supported us in doing. A few weeks ago, I wrote this blog reflecting on our Domopoetics—e.i. our shared life & collaboration—& posted photos about his earthing here.
Before he passed, Pierre had completed two books that will be published as follow:

Fall 2025: Poasis II: Selected Poems 2000–2024 (Wesleyan University Press, 2026)
Early 2026: In Between Keep Moving: A Pierre Joris Reader — edited by Ariel Resnikoff & Pierre Joris (Contra Mundum Press, 2026)
Many gatherings, readings, conferences, & celebrations of Pierre’s life and work are currently being scheduled. I’ll continue to share updates as more details come in.

Meanwhile, let me share a personal update that’s very dear to me. It is such an honor to be among the artists selected for:

Essential Shore / Permeable Future
Bay Ridge Public Art & Ecology Biennial

April 19 – June 21, 2025
Curated by Jennifer McGregor

Opening Reception Saturday April 19 , 3:00 – 6:00
the Gallery opens for viewing 12:00

Stand4 Gallery 
414 78th Street
Bay Ridge, Brooklyn New York 11209 US MAP

Participating Artists:
Cynthia Alberto, Graciela Cassel, Betsy Damon, Thomas Gallagher, Sunk Shore: Clarina Mac Low and Carolyn Hall, Jan Mun, Angel Nevarez/Valerie Tevere, Seema Lisa Pandya, Nicole Peyrafitte, Anna Bessie Ratner (The Other Almanac), Hannah Salyer, Brooke Singer.

When I was invited to submit a project for the Essential Shore / Permeable Future exhibition, I knew it had to be compatible with our current domopoetic life—which had come to include serious health challenges. It had to be something rooted in care, resilience, & presence—something that could fold within the unpredictable, fragmented rhythm of our days, & it did.

The title of my piece is Amor de Lohn: Calidris maritima (Love from Afar: Purple Sandpipers). It is part of my ongoing Bird State project, & this iteration focuses on the presence of a colony of High-Arctic breeders that winter along Shore Road & Gravesend Bay, just steps from our home. For years, the Purple sandpipers’ return has been a quiet source of strength for me. Documenting them—through photography, video, writing, and drawing—became a practice I could sustain in brief, nourishing moments, attuned to the tide, the weather, and the shifting rhythm of our days, all while staying close to Pierre.

For years, we observed, counted, & loved “the Purples” together. This year, he couldn’t go see them—but I brought them to him. He watched the videos, saw the painting in progress, read the early text drafts, the photos, & what would become the exhibition poster. He was proud, supportive, encouraging, & wanted me to carry on —I promised I would.

This work is dedicated to Pierre, with all the love that shaped it.

Website for the exhibition & programming is here but here are the events I will be part of:

— May 3rd : I will lead a Bird Tour on NYC Ferry  (details coming soon)
— June 11 : Part of the Film Screening at Alpine Cinema (evening)

I am deeply grateful to Jennifer McGregor (curator) & Jeannine Bardo (gallery director) for their supportive, loving & caring curation through such a challenging time.
I hope to see you at the opening, but if you can’t make it, let me know & we’ll find another day to go together.

 Resist! Persit & Care!
Nicole