Ocean Deadfall Trap

LOCATION : TEN MILE CREEK, OREGON

MATERIALS : RAILROAD TIE, DRIFT WOOD, RED OCHRE

Deadfall can refer to a kind of trap for large animals and is made of a heavy objects such as a heavy piece of wood or log that falls upon its prey.  A fallen tree is also considered to be a deadfall.  This deadfall trap made with an old railroad tie is set up to catch the tides of the ocean as it undercuts the supporting sand and driftwood stick.

The iron oxide containing ochre is symbolic to the use of iron spikes used to nail the old trees that have now become railroad ties lying horizontal to the ground.  Their physical evidence upon the beach reminds us that the constructs of humanity will eventually meet their demise.  The iron spike will rust over time becoming ochre in the earth and the chemically treated railroad tie will decompose becoming an elemental material once again. Even the toxins that were created with natural materials to preserve the wood still may dissipate and disperse into the oceans currents carried away by the tides.