The Concept (hares & squares-First Posting)
Since this is our first blog posting, here is a project description.
The project takes its form in two-dimensional, oversized lawn ornaments. The lawn shadow is a form of ‘folk art’ and is generally painted black. hares & squares imitates this common folk art in form but creates contrast through the use of bright colours. It encourages us to be more attentive to the local landscape.
Biologically diverse landscapes that provide habitat for native plant and animal species are critical to our sustainable future. hares & squares reminds us of the alien elements introduced by human beings that may negatively affect the bio-diversity of the landscape.
The Jackrabbit or European Hare, Lepus europaeus, is non-native to the countryside of Southern Ontario. It is believed that Jackrabbits are descendents of captive hares imported from Germany that became feral in the early 20th century when they escaped from a farm near Cambridge, Ontario.
The squares, icons of urbanism, are unnaturally placed in this rural setting and mimic signage boards that interrupt our view of the picturesque countryside. In this instance, the squares appear to be tumbling and off balance, dancing in harmony and in counterpoint with the hares.
hares & squares is positioned at the edge of the field and intersects with the road. The road and the field are engaged by, and form part of the artwork, and in so doing, we are reminded that the road, field and indeed, most of us, are in essence foreign. Where we enjoy refuge, we must guide our actions with appreciation, humility and respect. The road provides access yet forms a boundary. How do we recognize when we have traveled too far beyond our boundaries, especially the limits of our place in nature?
hares & squares asks us to continually explore and consider how human intervention impacts ecological health and ultimately our own well-being.
