Talon // Tisane
Talon // Tisane was a site-specific performance at the di Rosa Reserve, exploring the landscape through ritual, sound, and interspecies collaboration. At its core was a live falconry demonstration, highlighting themes of reciprocity and environmental stewardship.
The performance began with a ceremonial procession, leading the audience to a sculptural yarrow tea fountain, where tea was shared as a communal offering. A recitation of Corymb Swell and Angel of the Hern intertwined with the rhythmic sounds of the jaw harp and falcon bells, with Andy Xue of Fugitive Gods grounded the performance in a score on cello. Islay, a Lanner Falcon from West Coast Falconry, then took flight. Her movements—soaring, perching, and responding to the space—became integral to the unfolding narrative, mirroring themes of trust, return, and impermanence. Islay’s movements remained unpredictable, embodying the chance nature of the collaboration.
We concluded the work with Islay perched and tethered to me as expert falconer Kate Marden educated a curious audience on the historical and contemporary role of birds of prey in sustainable vineyard management.
By bridging tradition, agriculture, and ecological awareness, Talon // Tisane created a layered interplay of procession, tea, music, poetry, and falconry. The performance invited audiences into a heightened awareness of place, time, and the delicate balance between the cultivated and the wild.
