Eureka, a lighthouse play

Ever since it was destroyed by an earthquake in the Middle Ages, many have tried to reconstruct the Great Lighthouse of Alexandria, a wonder of the ancient world. Most recently, archaeologists have attempted to piece the lighthouse together after underwater remains were discovered lying outside Alexandria harbor. Drawing on an archive of photographs, video footage, documents, objects, and interviews, this performance recounts Ellie Ga’s experience at the marine archaeology program at Alexandria University, and describes the journey of an artist lost in the process of research and the impossible effort to piece together the thousands of stones barely visible on the seabed. Spanning a variety of media, Ga’s work probes the distinctions between documentary and fiction, private and public histories, writing and visual inscriptions, and the still and moving image. Her work has been presented at The Kitchen, New York; the Power Plant, Toronto; Fondation Cartier, Paris; and the New Museum, New York. Ellie Ga is represented by Bureau, New York.