The Tea Party for Extinct Birds
Installed at the 826LA Time Travel Mart in Echo Park, CA, the show ran from May through November, 2024. I conceived this installation and executed it by directing a team of 8 other talented artists. It received recognition by the L.A. Times in their “22 Best Spots to Nerd Out In LA” article in July, 2024.
This party is a surreal celebration of birds from across the world and through time. The invitation list extends from 2 million years ago to birds that disappeared as recently as 37 years ago!
Extinction is an abstract concept by nature because when something is gone, it’s gone; we can’t appreciate what is missing if we never knew it was there. This installation is meant to help fill that connection and create a tangible relationship between visitors and these dearly departed birds. It’s an opportunity to enjoy the company of these beautiful creatures that we are no longer able to meet.
The birds were handmade with a variety of different media, including crochet, knitting, quilting, painting, modeling, animatronics, and even music! The style and care that went into them adds a warmth to truly bring them to life, loose threads and all. Many of the materials used were recycled or previously owned.
The installation includes an interactive element called ‘Birdwatchers of the World’, where visitors write their name on a piece of paper and pin it on one of three maps on the wall under the map of the birds’ locations. Seeing the worldwide home markers of all your fellow party guests gives a reflection of the planet we all share.
Along with being a whimsical window to the past, this tea party serves as a checkpoint for the future. Directly and indirectly, humanity has been the cause for extinction of almost all of these birds, but humanity can be their savior too. Although these feathered friends may be gone, there are still many colorful avian characters living in the world today. It is our duty to look out for them and the Earth, as we all have our place in it.
You can read my interview with 826LA about the installation here.
