The Disappearance of Songbirds, digital stills, 2013
The Disappearance of Songbirds
A series of still images and videos, dimensions variable, 2007-2021
Imagine a world without birdsong. When just one bird becomes extinct it sets off a chain reaction towards ecosystem collapse. Noise pollution limits the ability of birds to hear each other, impacting their ability to mate, be in community, and warn other birds about immediate threats. Up to 67 million birds are killed in the United States annually from collisions with electric utility lines and from collisions with tall, lighted communications towers, and their guy wires. Up to 67 million birds are killed in the United States annually from ingesting pesticides. Up to 14.5 million birds are killed in the United States annually from the use of fossil fuels in power plants. Unknown numbers of birds are killed in the United States annually from military operations, logging and strip mining.
Projects
The Disappearance of Songbirds, video, 2:55 minutes, 2021
The Disappearance of Songbirds, digital stills, 2013
When the Waters Rise, video, 9.45 minutes, 2012
Handle With Care, mixed media, 7x10 inches, 2007
Electronic Signals, mixed media, 9.5 inches x 4 inches, 2005
Video still from The Disappearance of Songbirds, three channels, 2:55 minutes, edited by Susan Jahoda and Amanda Boggs, 2021
When the Waters Rise, video, 9.45 minutes, 2012
When the Waters Rise, represents a longing for a home that is unreachable. In one continuous video capture, a land mass appears to be both emerging and disappearing, never to be landed upon and inhabited. The accompanying audio is both a lament sung by the disappearing earth and a call of hope from those who have been displaced and are seeking shelter.
Handle With Care, mixed media, 7 x 10 inches, 2007
Electronic Signals, mixed media, 9.5 x 4 inches, 2005