Scores for Restoration — The Submergence Collective

Scores for Restoration, ongoing

Scores for Restoration is a collection of instructional prompts, or scores, to gather data about place through reciprocal actions. We believe that since data collecting is inherently an act of taking, we want to offer something back to place in return for that knowledge/information. Furthermore, it is through continuous acts of return that restoration and nourishment truly take place. These scores ask their performers to collect data in a variety of poetic ways in hopes of prompting others to consider alternative and embodied methods of getting to know a place and understanding its ecology.

We offer these scores as open territory for encounters, somewhere between theory and praxis, proposition and action, human and more-than-human. Each score slips into a cyclical path: reflexivity of self and place; (re)imaginative exploration of the known and unknown; performing reciprocity and healing remediation; preparing for the yet unfolding future; repeat. Within these gestures—to be carried out wherever one finds themselves—may there be dialogue, liberation, and beauty.

Watch It GoChart the flow of water on the land.Squint; where has it moved before?Where will it go next?Offer a seedto its wending path.Watch it go. — **Watch It Go**
Chart the flow of water on the land.
Squint; where has it moved before?
Where will it go next?
Offer a seed
to its wending path.
Watch it go.

Becoming SoilA) When you wake up, imagine you are crawling from a bed of soil. How would your life be different if you slept in soil?B) Go outside and try to find the best soil you can. Make note of why you think the soil you chose is the best. Put … — **Becoming Soil**
A) When you wake up, imagine you are crawling from a bed of soil. How would your life be different if you slept in soil?
B) Go outside and try to find the best soil you can. Make note of why you think the soil you chose is the best. Put a good amount in a bucket to carry with you for the day.
C) Spread some soil on your neck, and armpits, for perfume
D) Dump some soil in your bathtub
E) Wash your face with some soil
F) Season your dinner with some soil
G) Give some soil to your lover or friend instead of a kiss
H) Give some soil to someone who really needs it
I) Take a nap in some soil
J) “Soil” your clothes
K) Really look at your fingernails
L) If you have any soil left, take it back to its home and thank it thoroughly. Consider visiting it again tomorrow.

Let It Lean On YouWhere is the wind blowing from today?Walk into it until you meet a treeSit with your back against the tree and let it lean on youListen to the wind blowing through the branches and leavesListen to the stories the tree wants to shar… — **Let It Lean On You**
Where is the wind blowing from today?
Walk into it until you meet a tree
Sit with your back against the tree and let it lean on you
Listen to the wind blowing through the branches and leaves
Listen to the stories the tree wants to share with you
When the wind has calmed, remember the tree’s secrets

BirthSpend a sunrise or a moonrise watching what you can see from where you sit make or unmake themselves, take the bits you love from this and write them on the palms of your hand in lists.The next day or night, create something or help something c… — **Birth**
Spend a sunrise or a moonrise watching what you can see from where you sit make or unmake themselves, take the bits you love from this and write them on the palms of your hand in lists.
The next day or night, create something or help something create itself
Let it sit in the sun or moon for a bit
Put water on it, but gently
Touch it fondly and smear earth on it
Tell it:
“you belong”
“you belong”
“you belong”
Wash your hands until your lists dissolve, then pat your hands on the ground with rhythm and
celebration around the thing and say:
“I can’t wait to see what you become. I am so happy you are here. I am so excited to exist on this planet at the same time as you.”

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