Olivia Bouchard
passionate about health, social justice, education and the environment
(and art)
Line, Location
Plaster molds: 36" x 24" x 24"
Climate change has lead to an increased risk of drought in the Southwest. Due to lack of rainfall and increased warming of the climate, the Colorado River – a major contributor of fresh water to communities in the Southwest – has dwindled. Thes molds that are colored similarly to the natural pigment in the Colorado River rock formations. The color began to fade away as the thickness of the line, or river, dwindled. The small scale of this piece attempts to illustrate the dramatic impact humans have on the natural world.
Look Before You Leap
Wax molds: 8" x 8" x 8"
This piece examined human contact with the environment, and the potential detrimental effects of such contact. A certain species of flower, native to Michigan, Mimulus michiganensis, also known as the monkey flower, has come close toextinction due to loss of wetlands. Wetlands hold a great amount of aged sediment, which is rich in nutrients used for crop fertilization. The water from wetlands is sucked out for this purpose, causing the wetland vegetation to die out. This process can lead to a loss of biodiversity in a wetland ecosystem and itssurrounding areas.
I created wax molds that were about 20 times the size of the actual flower, which is quite dainty. This exaggeration was intended to magnify the natural beauty and delicacy of the flower. The wax petals can easily crack or break withthe touch of a hand, similar to the real flowers. I placed the sculptures at the edge of a wetland and the photographic documentation illustrated their joyful burst against the monochromatic musty color of the wetland landscape. In addition, I created a small card that stated, “Mimulus michganensis is at risk of extinction. Think Globally, Act Locally.” This takeaway item for viewers was intended to raise awareness of human impact on the natural world.
Butterflies of the Sea
Slip cast molds: 72" x 60" x 84"
One consequence of a warming climate due to greenhouse gases is ocean acidification. Increased levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere are absorbed by oceans, which convert CO2 into carbonic acid, a compound that degrades the shells of aquatic life. One species that is dramatically affected by this process is the pteropod, also known as the sea butterfly. The pteropod has a snail-like body (which is degraded through ocean acidification) and weightless wings that expand out from its core. The sea butterfly is a staple food item for many creatures in the ocean. Imitating the gentle movements of the waves, these creatures thrive below the ocean’s surface.
The color I chose for this project, pastel blue green, embodies the lightness, the airiness, the elegance, and the purity of the sea butterflies. The viewer is able to walk underneath and through the structure alongside the sea butterflies, which are plaster molds. Human impact is dramatically demonstrated: a slight bump or nudge to the creatures could cause them to plummet to the ground and shatter.
