Fireweed Fields
2021– 2024
Fireweed Fields was part of the Vegetal Encounters Residency with the UBC Outdoor Art Program, Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery.
Fireweed Fields transforms the Belkin’s lawns into a fireweed meadow, encouraging increased biodiversity through gradual succession as a metaphor for the resurgence of life after a crisis. This installation acknowledges the global climate emergency: by tearing through the fabric of maintained lawns and colonial ideals, it plants the initial seeds for change and catalyzes dialogue, creative experimentation and new biodiversity research and learning opportunities. Meadow plants include fireweed, lupins, yarrow and Idaho fescue. Two cedar boardwalks lead into the meadow, their configurations referencing the rhizomatic root structure of fireweed. The boardwalk design was a collaboration between Schmidt and artist/designer Charlotte Falk.
The Vegetal Encounters Residency and related projects have been made possible with funding through UBC’s Matching Fund for Outdoor Art through Infrastructure Impact Charges. The Belkin gratefully acknowledges the support of Canada Council for the Arts, the Province of British Columbia through the BC Arts Council, and their Belkin Curator’s Forum Members.
Photo Credit: Rachel Topham