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SKETCH_PAD © Press Release |
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CATALYST Principal Jeffrey L. Zucker Attends California Super-Adobe (Earth Bag) Workshop  HESPERIA, CA- “Your hands are
an expression
of your unconscious.” Nadar Khalili had died six weeks ago,
but his words were spoken to us by his widow, Illiona. Little did
I know the inspiring effect that his words were to have on me.I had enrolled with the Cal-Earth Institute two months earlier to participate in a three day, hands on workshop, hoping to study under the creator of the earth bag building technique. One week before the commencement of the program, I received a phone call, notifying me that Nadar Khalili and passed away, and that the workshop would be postponed for another month. Rearranging my schedule to make accommodations for the unfortunate and unforeseen event, I could not help but wonder how the workshop would carry on without the guidance and teachings of the founder. What is Earth-Bag Construction? As described in the book by Kaki Hunter and Donald Kiffmeyer, entitled simply “Earthbag Building, Nadar drew on his skills as a contemporary architect while exercising the ingenuity of his native cultural heritage . . . in his quest to seek solutions to social dilemmas like affordable housing and environmental degradation.” Nadar’s solution to these dilemmas was to devise a simple method of construction that could be applied anywhere that earth could be found. A small amount of cement would be mixed with earth (the workshop was adamant about using the word “earth” instead of “dirt”), loaded into long, tubular bags, and compacted with a tamper. The resultant buildings look like the coiled pots that many of us made as youngsters.  Inspiration
in GriefThe most inspiring part of the workshop, however, came from the commitment and courage evidenced by Illiona. An intriguing woman, originally from England, who wore pearls as she shoveled the earth into bags, Illiona struggled at times to contain her grief at the passing of her husband. Yet, she shoveled on, her hands clad in rough workmen’s gloves. Sometimes, it is easier to find an excuse than to do the work. Sometimes, it is easier to lose yourself in the work. Sometimes, it is best to let your hands be an expression of your unconscious commitment to yourself, to humanity and to the earth. Resources Cal-Earth Institute Earth-Bag Apprenticeship Programs |
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