Fly, 2008

4-84″ x 29″ photo panels, wheatpaste
1 motion-controlled speaker and audio file

Fly is an outdoor photo and audio installation based on an image and sound of the red-tailed hawk. The image of the bird is technologically distanced from nature photography – it was captured on low resolution video and digitally altered. Passerby’s triggered a motion sensor and audio file based on a red-tail hawk’s cry and wing-flapping, natural and processed.

While the red-tailed hawk is one of the most common raptors in North America, it also has a strong connection with Grimsby because of the Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch at Beamer Conservation Area, where I shot the image. I obtained the source audio file from a Hawkwatch member.

Exhibited
Grimsby Public Art Gallery, September-November 2008 with Fall.

Motion sensor and speaker adaptation: Hector Centeno
Thanks also to Matt Harley and the youth of FORT for installation assistance.

Photo: Rhona Wenger