Call Before You Dig (On Going)
Call Before You Dig is a series of interventions meant for banal or non spaces (medians, tree stumps, vacant lots)
This work began with Warning Buried Mycelium. I screen-printed these flags first as a site specific work for the Unnatural Disasters Conference at UIUC September 2018. Below are shots of the flags in the construction sites on campus. However due to positive response from the community members, this installation has spread throughout Urbana and Champaign. Mycelium is one of nature’s many global webs of communication (aka: Wood Wide Web). The flags are replenished as they are stolen and printed on orange vinyl referencing telecommunication lines (human created internet). These are placed where every there is the imminent threat of soil disruption, upheaval and destruction.
As of 2021 the work now has expanded to celebrate all manner of invertebrates including: Various Cicada species (Including Brood X), Cicada Nymphs, Tardigrades, Cellar Spiders (Aka: Daddy Long Legs), Various Ant species, and Woodlice (aka Rollie Pollies). These arthropods have exaggerated features for the purpose of making the humor of the work more accessibility to a wider audience in my current location of Baltimore, Maryland. Despite their cute appearance, the flags are still take seriously at times and thoughtful placement is a constant consideration. These works are meant to be humorous but also comment on the constant presence of our arthropod neighbors in our lives and that they should be considered always before construction begins.
Also folded into the project are the 17th Birthday Party Posters celebrating the return of Brood X around the city and greater county. They read: You’re invited to My 17th Birthday. Party Starts May 2021. Live Music All Day, Where? Everywhere.
Warning Arthropod Flags below coming to Baltimore, MD by August 2021
note: Tardigrades are related to Arthropods and Flat worms. They have a lot going on.
