POLLINATOR CONCENTRATOR

Pollinator Concentrator is a site-specific, interspecies installation addressing the concern of pollinator decline and designed to radiate awareness of pollinators locally and broadly. Approaching the installation’s site a pole appears above a lush field of 4 ft. tall rye grass as if an antenna drawing one near. Surrounding the antenna is an undulation of landscape covered with short grass leading into its focal point, a ten foot, buried parabolic dish. The antenna inside the dish functions like a sundial, elaborating on the relationship amongst the shadow of the antenna, the hour of day, and the alignment with specific tiles as a measurement of time. The parabolic surface is lined with tiles of a series of pollinator species referencing a larger diversity. The tiles are dyed a range of blues incorporating symbolism, as, in the human’s visible range, blue is at the edge of the short wavelengths, and symbolically it calls in meditation, spaciousness, and depth of thought. On specific nights the edge of the parabolic will glow in ultraviolet light, using this frequency to attracts insects and some pollinators. This encounter potentially increases one’s ability to study and thus respect many minute creatures, and their roles, that otherwise go unnoticed.

Due to the discovery of 20 species of bats on the property in April 2019, a bat detector was designed in collaboration with bat biologist Mike Balistreri,and honoring these unusual creatures with their role as pollinators.  The bat monitor tower will pick up bat ultrasonic signals as they fly over in the evening.The result is that the UV lights, lit on certain evenings, will undulate when bats are detected in the area around the installation, and engender more empathy and familiarity with these creatures that otherwise remain invisible.