'sacalaia'
archival pigment on rag paper
13 x 19 in - edition of 5
24 x 36 in - edition of 3

sacalaia / 2021 / HD video / 4 mins 8 seconds / music © Sunny Lax

clouds and sky, 1990s, printed 2021

jump #1, 1990s, printed 2021

dive #1, 2021

reed islet, 1990s, printed 2021

jump #2, 1990s, printed 2021

dive #2, 2021

distance, 1990s, printed 2021

jump #3, 1990s, printed 2021

dive #3, 2021

lake and hills, 1990s, printed 2021

handle, 1990s, printed 2021

dive #4, 2021

basilica, 1990s, printed 2021

alone, 1990s, printed 2021

light water, 2021

stars in the night, 1990s, printed 2021
Sacalaia (Pike Lake) is the deepest freshwater natural lake in Transylvania. The legend states that the lake formed when a salt mine under a small Roman village caved in about 2000 years ago, leading to the flooding of the village. At times, on clear water days, one can see the tip of the basilica. Many tried to dive in to reach the old village, only some to never return. As a kid, we took many trips in rowboats over the lake in the search for the old basilica.
In this project, I mix images made as a young boy during these trips with recently created images, paying homage to a younger self journeying towards identity, searching for lost faith and ideals, reconnecting to what holds me true to myself.