Invasive Species
Installation:
Wire; Cheesecloth; Exterior Latex Paint; Clothesline; Trash (Plastic Bottles, Newspaper, Cigarette Boxes, Snack Bags, Candy Wrappers, Soda Cans); Shoelaces; 4” Wood Screws; Nylon Fishing Line
“Invasive Species” was my contribution to the “CrossRoads: Energy Necklace on the Emerald Necklace” Project. The project was organized by Susan Israel, who runs “Climate Creatives”. It was the first public art project approved for the Emerald Necklace in the Fenway. All of the invited artists were required to submit proposals, which had to be approved by the Emerald Necklace Conservancy.
I had taken a summer course a number of years prior to this project, called “Art and Architecture in 19th Century America”. The course involved a number of walking tours, including through the Fenway area which we learned was developed as part of a sanitation system for the City of Boston, with much of it designed by Frederick Law Olmstead.
We learned about the importance of native plants, and the proliferation of invasive species such as phragmites, which suffocate native plants and waterways, contributing to problems in the ecosystems. When I realized that the project would be located in the area that I had been with my class, I was fairly certain that I knew what I might want to do.
My proposal starts with introduction below:
The willow tree at left (to the right of the Shattuck Visitor’s Center, when facing the entrance) inspired my idea to address ‘invasive species’, though with a ‘tongue-in-cheek’ approach.
When looking closely at the tree and its surroundings, I wasn’t quite sure if the phragmites in the nearby water were invasive or native species, though I assumed them to be the former. In addition to the plants, I noticed a glass liquor bottle, packaging that seems to have been from a snack, and a can (all were slightly beyond my reach). I took these to be invasive as well. It made me realize that one of the most invasive species of all is the human being.
Emerald Necklace Conservancy - Shattuck Visitor Center, Boston, MA
One view of the willow tree where I sited my art. It was a really magnificent tree. It is no longer there, so it was nice that I got to spend time with it and sculpt work inspired by it while it was alive.
It was really sad to see the vodka bottle in the reeds. Sad because it was damaging to the environment, but also sad because it was unlikely to have arrived during a happy celebration.
Snack bags were ubiquitous in the shallow water, hiding amongst the reeds. Humans do so much damage to our earthly home. (Sad.)
Gesture sketch for proposal
Gesture sketch for proposal
Gesture sketch for proposal
Photo sketch for proposal. It was a new experience to use Photoshop to put together a composite image.
Sculpting wire to make my invaders...always nice to have dog company while making art.
7 wire 'invaders' ready for their cheese cloth. I love that they all show different body language that makes them unique.
Preparing to apply cheesecloth
A batch of invaders - coated with two colors of exterior latex
Invaders - drying in studio
Here is one of the invaders, carrying its load of trash, ready to be suspended from the tree.
Unpacking the invaders on site
Some of the invaders in situ
Using long wood screws to anchor the sculptures in the ground
These invaders were suspended to rappel down the trunk from one of the branches. I also used fishing line to anchor them in place on the trunk.
When they are anchored properly, the invaders carry trash towards the willow tree.
Planting another invader in the undergrowth around the willow tree. Luckily I managed to avoid any poison ivy! I did end up scratched by and covered in burrs though.
When I returned a few months later, only a few of the invader sculptures remained. Although I find them to be really cool, I was surprised to discover that any, let alone most, had been stolen. At least a few survived where they were installed.