As bodies of water, we are all in this together, but we are not all the same. Water, the basis of life, constitutes over 80% of the human body; about the same percentage of the earth’s surface. Water connects us with all organic and inorganic matter on the planet, in constant circulation. The concept of hydrofeminism sets out a mutual connection – not only between people – but also between other bodies of water, including other organisms, rivers and global circulation systems. The idea insists that we relinquish any lingering illusion of nature as separate from culture, or of humans as separate from the world around us. In turn, it raises questions of ethics – concerning our relationship to planetary waters in crisis.
Water is an embodiment of environmental materiality, it is a planetary habitat and boundary, giving life to us all. There is a direct link from a watery womb to a watery world. Descriptions and definitions of waters are primarily feminine and maternal. In the French language, the word for sea (mer) and mother (mère) is pronounced the same way. Water is a life-giving liquid to all species. These fluid challenges ask us to reimagine water – and thus reimagine our own bodies, and the connections between them.
