“On the tree of life, the branches of the Passenger Pigeon and Carolina Parakeet have been cut. In the biosphere, there are now holes shaped like the Great Auk and Heath Hen. In all our technology, there’s not a single recording of the call of the Labrador Duck. In a sense, it would have been more appropriate to have installed the moulds at the locations rather than the sculptures so that we could contemplate the shadows that these birds have cast upon us. Perhaps that’s too negative a message for public art? Instead they are solid, smooth, tactile, reverent. “
The Great Auk sculpture on Fogo Island , photo by The Lost Bird Project
http://econowblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/living-in-age-of-extinction-lost-bird.html
It is a tragedy each time humanity causes an extinction of a plant or animal, each one brings us closer to our own doom.
Yes, I think the idea of having the mould, like a gaping hole, would have been more powerful an image.
Thanks for sharing this, and the link to the other very thought-provoking blog post.
You’re welcome Simon and thank you! Your blog looks amazing; I’m looking forward to reading through it!