River Mound. Clay, branches, gravel, sand. 25″ X 41″ X 195″ (1987). “‘River Mound’ is an example of a bio-engineered sculpture, using living materials as building matter. The form and materials consist of layers of live branch cuttings of a variety of trees and shrubs and layers of gravel and sand packed together with pegs and clay. This kind of mound or ‘brush mattress’ is sometimes used by bio-engineers to repair the shoreline in river gullies and re-establish original water flow. Mounds are one of the most commonly found artifacts of prehistoric man. A mound is defined as ‘an elevation formed of earth, sand, stones, etc., especially over a grave or ruins.’ Mounds have been built to live in, to house the dead, and for religious ceremonies. To move earth is a powerful idea, and the amount of work required to buld one is tremendous. ‘River Mound’ is a filled vessel. It is a structure made from earth that contains the earth. The process of construction is visible because the mound is cut into two smaller sections and separated by a space of about four feet. The layers are visible beneath the smooth clay surface where the mound has been separated. This earthwork, this temporal sculpture within the gallery setting, challenges the viewer and forces him or her to reckon with the traditional concept of art, and sculpture in particular.”
