Sasha Goodnow
Space Mothers
The morphology of the mothers began as catalpa tree roots.
Hand dyed and measured for a huge two-swing-carrying elder catalpa tree in my backyard, this project began as an above ground look at tree roots: a blown up perspective of the mycorrhizal network of root nutrition from soil to tree. Ruminating on dye that is injected into humans for MRI's, etc, as well as non-human laboratories to break up the visual for various detections was the inspiration for color-imagining the precious fungi network that surrounds the roots. These roots were strung around the base of several trees and pleasantly became an interactive resting spot and play area for visitors at the 2023 Art in the Park.
Gathering plastic bags from grocery store recycling bins was a 6 week process. Traveling to these locations solely for free malleable plastic felt like a secondary performative art piece of pushing shopping carts full of empty grocery bags to my car. I reflected on the price of groceries, overconsumption, and the microplastics that reside in our bodies from eating food sold to us at these establishments. Pilfering a grocery bag drop off bin was also a notable experience.
Sorting the plastic haul became an unexpected job that took several hours each haul. Harder plastics were undesirable for stuffing as well as food or any foreign material in the bags in case of decomposition and smell. Often there were just receipts and plastic wrappers.
Using discarded plastic was an intentional element in this project as I wish to see all discarded items rehomed in some form or another in an effort to reduce landfill flux and ocean pollution. Let's make all industries account for the lifespan of their products.
