Nomadographies

Bird Farming, 2007

“Bird Farming” a diverse bird habitat at the American Museum of Natural History that travelers are interacting with. Sculptures that were then introduced into this habitat. The 3-D animated sky and mountainscape creates an indistinguishable everyplace that summons histories, depicts futures, and reminds us of known environments.

In “Bird Farming,” the animal-to-human relationship appears benign, as the humans herd and migrate with the animals. The humans learn from the animals’ natural survival instincts as they adapt to new terrains. Monsanto tags remain in the earth near withered plants, showing this place as it once was. In its time-cycle, the earth is desertified, likely due to over-farming, while the waters steadily encroach. People cover themselves with Wearable Homes that expand their natural senses, providing a heightened awareness of their natural physical surroundings. The Wearable Homes also employ rudimentary identification and communication systems that align the wearers’ senses with those of their animal coevals.

“Bird Farming” examines the evolution of human power structures, especially through peoples’ relationships with animals through history. For example, the overwhelmed tend to hunt wildlife while the benevolent seek to tame. “Bird Farming,” questions stages, forms, and outcomes of the relationship between the animals and the humans, and explores their future embodiments. “Bird Farming” is part of a series titled Nomadographies.