Bye Bye Birdies is an ongoing series that, in short, explores how bird populations have decreased, will continue to do so with climate change, and what we can do to help.
I grew up surrounded by nature and inspired by singing birds. I cannot imagine how quiet the world would be if they were gone and no longer in our backyards. Bye Bye Birdies is an immersive graph installation that explores how bird populations have decreased over the last 3 decades, will continue to do so with climate change, and what can be done to help. Painted, embroidered, and lasercut birds are made true to size of the species and placed on the wall to depict data on how threatened they will be if global average temperatures raise 3ºC. None of the birds are flying or have feet since they do not have control of their fate; only we do.
This project is tailored to the state it is exhibited in, showcasing birds that locals (in this case anyone in Maryland) might be familiar with. An homage is made to the Passenger Pigeon which was once the most abundant bird in the Americas that became extinct due to human disruption—foreshadowing how our favorite birds we see today might only live in taxidermy form tomorrow if action is not swiftly taken.
If you're interested in this series, please feel free to click on the links provided below that show detailed shots of pieces in this work. Likewise, please check out links provided to learn more about the severity of this issue.
According to recent research, the bird population has decreased 29% in the last 50 years––that is over 1 in 4 birds lost in North America. This decline is not stopping. Audubon’s “Survival by Degrees” study reveals that 68% of North American birds are at risk of extinction because of human-caused climate change. My work explores these findings, visualizing the levels of extinction and extirpation vulnerability of birds found in my home state of Pennsylvania
In order to clearly communicate the research and data, this series will be installed in a way reminiscent to that of scientific diagrams. By making use of the wall, floor, and space, this installation creates a 3D interactive graph. There are multiple iterations this work can present itself as, but nevertheless depict similar symbolism and message. (This first iteration is a mock-up of how it will be installed at MICA's Pinkard Gallery).
The background sunset image (starting from blue hues down to red hues) assists the height level birds are located either on sticks or on the wall. The closer they are to the ground, or the more they are in the red, the more threatened they are with climate change. This sunset reminds viewers that human impact and climate change could eventually bring certain birds' days to an end.
This back wall would present itself as an homage to birds already extinct because of human impact, such as the Passenger Pigeon. Throughout this installation hang infographics to explain things such as why the passenger pigeon is an important reminder and what actions viewers can take.
Ideally, I would include a desktop and infographic to prompt viewers to research how climate change might threaten birds in their state and backyards--making it a more personal matter for them if they do not reside in Pennsylvania. The desktop would link to Audubon’s “Survival by Degrees” since it is an affective guide and visual on these impacts
BELOW: Iteration 2-- A concept for a single wall and smaller space to install / exhibit.
This is how you would read this particular iteration. This infographic would be presented along with everything else for clarity. To view the other infographics, click here!
It is not too late to reduce the decline of birds. If we act now, we can improve the conditions of 76% of the birds at risk. If we don’t, we will lose more than just the birds and their songs––we will lose everything that relies on them in the ecosystem as well as our dignity and decency. We will look into the sky and ask “How did we let this happen?”