The LANGUAGE OF WATCHING
The Language of Watching is a multifaceted project began in July 2015 during my time as the Artist-in-Residence at Constellation Studios, an independent community print studio in Lincoln, Nebraska owned and operated by Karen Kunc. The project is informed by my research into the social/political ramifications of bird representations in field guides, the history and culture of birdwatching, and the relationships between birdwatchers and birds, and more broadly speaking, between humans and the natural environment. FLOCK, a socially engaged art project, has evolved since 2015 to include over 200 community participants across the US. In a socially engaged art project, the "art" is considered to be the interactions between participant-viewers & the artist. In my practice, I often make imagery or objects with participants as a mean to facilitate a shared dialogue about our connections to nature. You can find out more about each of the works in The Language of Watching below and by reading my full artist’s statement.
FLOCK, Socially Engaged Project, 2015-present
HOW TO SPEAK TO BIRDS, Artist's Book, 2018
BIRD SONG BROADSIDES, Letterpress Print Series, 2018
BRIGHT CROWNS, Artist's Book, 2016
A SURVEY OF POPULAR BIRDS & THEIR BEHAVIORS, Artist's Book, 2015 Video
SHENANDOAH, Letterpress Print Series, 2015
Participants and birdwatchers Jason St. Sauver and Jonathan F. Walz along with members of Karen Kunc's family at the FLOCK Print Action, Constellation Studios, Lincoln, NE July 2015
Marie Oberkirch, Director of Central Print with two local birdwatchers during a morning walk for FLOCK, August 2, 2019