Environmental Monitoring Diorama Series, 2009-2010
Trash, mixed media, various sizes

While scavenging for Styrofoam from the old Dawson City dock in the Yukon, I noticed that huge holes had been dissolved or eaten into the plastic material. This had all happened underwater while the dock had been in service. Chemicals in the local Yukon River, where local people fished, dissolved Styrofoam. I used the damaged materials as the basis for a series of miniature northern landscapes; the pollutants did the sculpting, I merely added details. Pollutants are an inextricable part of land and life in the 21st century, even in the far north.

Environmental Monitoring Diorama: IV

Detail of Environmental Monitoring Diorama: IV

Environmental Monitoring Diorama: Pods

Detail of Environmental Monitoring Diorama: Pods

Environmental Monitoring Diorama: III

Detail of Environmental Monitoring Diorama: III. The holes are eatten by insects living under the dock.

Environmental Monitoring Diorama: II

Detail of Environmental Monitoring Diorama: II. The yellow is where chemicals have eatten away at the plastic.

Environmental Monitoring Diorama: II

Detail of Environmental Monitoring Diorama: II

Environmental Monitoring Diorama: V

Detail of Environmental Monitoring Diorama: V. The “trees” are covered in salt crystals.

Environmental Monitoring Diorama: WIPP

Detail of Environmental Monitoring Diorama: WIPP

Environmental Monitoring Diorama: V