We gathered pine needles to create the word “hello”, located next to the Beach Hut and library. The material was difficult to place in a curve but easy for straight lines. We had to break the longer needles into smaller lengths. At first, the pine needles seemed like a vulnerable material against wind, but after stacking it together (much like a nest), it had enough weight to withstand the weather for a few days.
We gathered a large pile of small rocks and pebbles from the planter garden next to the faculty offices in front of a main shuttle stop. While shaping them into type, the small rocks turned out to be difficult to arrange and organize in a line without distorting the entire shape of the letter. Since its stability would not be affected by weather, we assumed it would last for at least a couple of days. Unfortunately, someone decided that it was an eyesore and swept up the message. The entire piece was brushed away and completely lost.
Leaves that had fallen to the ground from a nearby tree varied from old to new. While old leaves were dry, cracking and brown, the younger leaves ranged in flexibility and colors from yellow to green. This material was slightly difficult to control, so a method of crushing them into smaller pieces made it easier to create clean typography. The physical material of leaves is very lightweight and its delicacy makes it vulnerable to weather. We knew that this message would not last long, which proved to be right. It only took a day for wind to carry away most of the leaves. The result of the message was no longer legible for the viewer to read.
Soil was used to create a detailed message, and was definitely easier to control due to its fineness. It was also a material that was not as vulnerable to the wind as other materials were. We knew that only either rain or most likely human interaction could affect the word. Several visits later, the soil had absorbed water, with dirt seeping its way out onto the surrounding concrete. The next day, someone had wiped out the “o” and “b” in the word, now reading as “serve.” This was an interesting outcome, seeing how it engages people to interact.
Loose berries fallen from a tree beside the McIntosh Humanities Building are oftentimes stepped on and left with a stained residue on the sidewalk. The berries proved to be easier than other materials to line up in order to make clean looking typography. Though heavy enough to withstand wind, the berries were affected from a disturbance of newly fallen berries from the tree above. The impact of the later-fallen berries easily destroyed the sculpture, and allowed it to exist for only a few hours. Only a few people were able to witness the sculpture in space.
Using chalk as a form of guidelines, we were able to set up the word “wonder” using wood chips. It was a long and painstaking process that dragged out for over two hours. The next day it was mysteriously swept away by the facilities management, leaving behind only marks of chalk on the sidewalk.
Cherry blossom petals were an appropriate material for the word “dream” due to its natural vibrant pink color. The weight of the petals were heavy enough to hold its own against the wind but began to decay and fade in its rich color over the course of two days. Once withered, the petals were vulnerable to the wind.
Clusters of dried pine seedlings were spread around outside the Fine Arts-4 building. The weight and density of the sculpture held fairly well against the winds and it took a longer time to break apart. The sculpture was able to last through lighter winds in the open-spaced location. The seedlings remained mostly undisturbed for most of the day while complimenting many of those who passed by.
Dried leaves outside the University Theatre were fragile and weak in stability. Due to the strong winds that occur throughout this pathway, the leaves quickly dissipated within several hours of the day.