Roadside Memorial Project (2014)
In eastern Oregon, along U.S. 20, black-tailed jackrabbits lie like welts of sod—three, four, then a fifth. By the bridge over Jordan Creek, just shy of the Idaho River, a crumpled adolescent porcupine leers up almost maniacally over its blood-flecked teeth. I carry each one away from the tarmac into a cover of grass or brush out of decency, I think. And worry. Who are these animals, their lights gone out? What journeys have fallen apart here?—Barry Lopez, Apologia
The Roadside Memorial Project, a site specific installation on the rural road that leads to our house in Frankfort, Ky, is both a memorial for animals killed on the road as well as a new kind of warning sign for drivers. The silhouettes of animals commonly killed on Kentucky roads, sit low to the ground and are staggered, some at the edge of the road, others just beyond. Each double-sided sign is covered in reflective white sign material—the color white is the most highly reflective, and also evocative of white memorial crosses, sacrifice, spirits and ghostly specters. Interestingly, human reflective technology has been inspired by non-human animal biology—the reflective eye shine of nocturnal animals, known as the tapetum lucidum, or "bright tapestry," has directly inspired the creation of the "cats eye" brand reflectors we see embedded in the pavement of roads. The installation comes ot life at night, and is "turned on" by the passing drivers who illuminate it, many of whom slow down.
In eastern Oregon, along U.S. 20, black-tailed jackrabbits lie like welts of sod—three, four, then a fifth. By the bridge over Jordan Creek, just shy of the Idaho River, a crumpled adolescent porcupine leers up almost maniacally over its blood-flecked teeth. I carry each one away from the tarmac into a cover of grass or brush out of decency, I think. And worry. Who are these animals, their lights gone out? What journeys have fallen apart here?—Barry Lopez, Apologia
The Roadside Memorial Project, a site specific installation on the rural road that leads to our house in Frankfort, Ky, is both a memorial for animals killed on the road as well as a new kind of warning sign for drivers. The silhouettes of animals commonly killed on Kentucky roads, sit low to the ground and are staggered, some at the edge of the road, others just beyond. Each double-sided sign is covered in reflective white sign material—the color white is the most highly reflective, and also evocative of white memorial crosses, sacrifice, spirits and ghostly specters. Interestingly, human reflective technology has been inspired by non-human animal biology—the reflective eye shine of nocturnal animals, known as the tapetum lucidum, or "bright tapestry," has directly inspired the creation of the "cats eye" brand reflectors we see embedded in the pavement of roads. The installation comes ot life at night, and is "turned on" by the passing drivers who illuminate it, many of whom slow down.