Footprints and other Worm Art Works
..|
Humans are probably the most invasive and damaging animal species to our planet’s ecology at this time. One such development is the creation of poor soil fertility by the killing of earth worms indirectly from the toxic chemicals (e.g.: fungicides, herbicides and pesticides) farmers use regularly on their crops to increase yields and the marketability of their products (e.g. no blemishes on fruits and vegetables). This diminishes soil fertility thus forcing farmers to use fertilizers. The goal of this ongoing ecological art project is to increase the awareness of the general public to the ecological cost of perfect looking vegetables, fruits, gardens and lawns. These works were inspired by the poem Sink by Alyssa Harms-Wiebe that speaks to our disconnection with our earth: I stand still it’s a rare occasion to stand still I stand still and my shoes come off my feet I am so still So still that I begin to form architecture I become suddenly aware of my human footprint I cannot stand still without leaving an imprint 1 stand still and I sink sink sink into the depths of the soil begin to architect a body of work as I watch the Land make space for my imprint … your footprint carries a weight your footprint carries a weight so heavy your footprint carries a weight what I see what I know what wealth of history I preserve is of no interest to you your footprint carries a weight your footprint carries a weight so heavy your footprint carries a weight tell me Earth-dweller how to remain still when your stomping drives me to madness? I listen listen can’t stop listening to her … The works begin by painting footprints and other signs with dyes or acrylic paints mixed with commercially available pesticides, fertilizers and fungicides. Once these are dry, worms from a compost bucket are gathered washed in warm water and placed in diluted non-toxic food coloring and earth pigments. They are then put on the paper and their movements are video recorded. As they move, they leave color traces of their path. Their avoidance of the toxic chemical area is also visible. After they move off the paper they are washed and returned to the compost bin. The results may appear as abstract paintings to an uninformed viewer. The process is videotaped. |
|
09 waw#9web, Foot Print series #1made by red wrigglers with non-toxic dyes on paper with footprints with insecticidal soap and black paint, 24in.x18in., 2020 Accompanying video #9 Foot Print series #1. Sink 4:39 min.
|
|
12 waw-handprint series #1-web, made by red wrigglers with non-toxic black and gold dyes on canvas with handprints with insecticidal soap and gold and silver paint, 14in.x 14in., 2021 Accompanying video with sound. 1:49min |
|
13 waw-footprint series #2-web, made by red wrigglers with non-toxic dyes on canvas with footprints with insecticidal soap and black paint, 14in.x 14in., 2020 Accompanying video with sound. 2:00 min |
|
14 waw-footprint series #3-web, made by red wrigglers with non-toxic dyes on canvas with footprints with insecticidal soap and black paint, 14in.x 14in., 2020 Accompanying video with sound. 2:24 min |
|
15 waw-footprint series #4-web, made by red wrigglers with red and gold non-toxic dyes on canvas with footprints with insecticidal soap and black paint, 20in.x 20in., 2020 Accompanying video with sound. 3:48 min |
 16 waw-footprint series #5-web, made by red wrigglers with non-toxic yellow, orange, red dyes on canvas with footprints with insecticidal soap and black paint, 24in.x 16in., 2021 Accompanying video with sound. 3:38 min |
 18 waw#18-web, Please turn the power off made by red wrigglers with blue, green, red non-toxic dyes on canvas with on/off sign in insecticidal soap and black paint, 14in.x 14in., 2021 Accompanying video with sound. 4:12min https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zTro8W5Mlo&t=167s 17 waw-footprint series #6-web, made by red wrigglers and dew worms with non-toxic blue and green dyes on canvas with footprints with insecticidal soap and black paint, 42in.x 42in., 2021 Accompanying video 8:39 min 19 waw#19-footprint series #7-web, made by red wrigglers and dew worms with non-toxic yellow, orange, blue and green dyes on canvas with footprints with insecticidal soap and black acrylic paint, 42in.x 42in., 2021 Accompanying video 9:50min
20 waw#20-footprint series #8-web, made by red wrigglers with non-toxic black dye on canvas with footprints with insecticidal soap and red and blue acrylic paint, 42in.x 42in., 2021 Accompanying video 6:35min |
