Tell it to a Bird

Tell It To A Bird. 2011. This installation creates an experience that enlightens the viewer to the art of storytelling and encouraged awareness of animal extinction. The story is a particularly poetic one about the last remaining male Kakapo parrot on the mainland of New Zealand. Within this space the oral tradition of storytelling takes on a contemporary feel by incorporating spoken word, sound and visuals. The sound consists of story narration and actual recordings of the bird. The bird call is very important to the piece as it creates a sense of ‘place’ for the story to unfold. The visual aspect of the piece involves six 13’x 6’ charcoal drawings of the Rimu tree, whose fruit is the main staple of the Kakapo diet. Colored lights give nocturnal landscape to the space. Funded by The Albert B Friedman Grant.