WEEK FOUR A Human-Wilderness Experience
An Ecosa Institute Presentation
”With two days to prepare for the event,” students explain, ”there was a lot of work to be done. We used our experience in the wilderness with Cody Lundin to inspire our transformation for the indoor studio space. The long hours of preparation paid off when we saw the way guests interacted with our creation. The design included a life-size saguaro cactus, a mountain made of found objects, a paper-mache depiction of suburban sprawl, and a refreshment room styled with plastic bag decor. We enjoyed the entire experience from acquiring the reused goods to the dance party that lasted for hours.”
Above: Mr. Saguaro comes into being.
Below: Six monitors display art in nature.
Students explain the overarching theme of the event: “Spending time in nature changes the way you view your needs and the comforts you have in society. Considering this when making personal decisions needs to become the norm in our culture. Each part of the installation was meant to convey our feelings starting with the first meeting with Cody through the morning debrief after we arrived home from the wilderness. These feelings ranged from trepidation and anxiety, to anticipation, awe and curiosity, to comfort.”
Above: Inviting guests to come closer, observe, and reflect.
Below: Reveling in the trash heap and the comfort of suburbia.
Below: Investigating the marble jar, following the street signs… to the refreshment room.
Below: Plastic grocery bags dangle from the ceiling and envelop couch cushions. Projected images bounce off the walls while music pulses and traffic sounds blare. Refreshments and conversation keep guests in this noisy and crowded environment, though some make their way back out to the suburbs and into saguaro country to escape all the commotion.
Below: Mr. Saguaro himself, Cody Lundin, and his paper-mache counterpart.
The Ecosa Institute would like to thank Pangaea Bakery, Sweet Tarts, and New Frontiers Natural Foods for their generous donations of scrumptious snacks, and all of our supporters for sharing in the experience with us. Thank you!