Resilient Geographies is an animated mural that questions the colonial past of Caribbean island territories by focusing on land exploitation, as well as the trauma and resilience of the Black body. It draws inspiration from our material and immaterial heritage, our natural patrimony, and the narratives and regional specificities linked to language and fading family memories.
What happened in this place?
These ruins where nature has reclaimed the land.
These remnants where oxidized earth, soaked in blood, holds so many secrets.
These hurricane winds, these rains that crystallize upon touching the ground…
From these timeless upheavals emerge young warrior shoots.
What lightning-rooted forces have “healed” the soil and the totemic bodies that survived the crossing?
This hand-drawn mural is enhanced with a 3D video mapping projection.
In 2024 David Gumbs was awarded a residency at Tropiques Atrium Scène Nationale that allowed the conception stages and pre-production. This includes the scriptwriting phase, the creation of the storyboard.
In 2025 the 3D modeling of the environment, the validation of animation concepts, the special effects and the development of the sonic universe are still in work and progress.
> Special thanks to Tropiques Atrium Scène Nationale Martinique
Team
3D design & animation : Christophe MAILLE
Sound design : Jeff BAILLARD
Project manager : Lydie LAMPIN
Graphic Design : Elsa ZINGILÉ
Assistant : Kelyna ANGLO