Uva Ursi

LOCATION : CAPE LOOKOUT, OREGON COAST

MATERIALS : KINNIKINNICK BERRIES, MOSS

Kinnikinnick also known as Bear berry or in latin as Arctostaphylos uva-ursi is an evergreen groundcover that produces bright red berries.  This plant covers a wide range of geographical territory and ecological environments. Along the Oregon coast kinnikinnick grows on sandy slopes as well as in the Cascade mountains in sub alpine rocky terrain. This patch of kinnikinnick was producing berries in the middle of November in an area that had been used for off road recreational vehicles.  After the area had been closed to driving the moss and vegetation began to stabilize the shifting sands.  

This exploration with the berries and the landscape where I discovered them was in part based on the color, texture, and forms they created.  The installation also hopes to achieve the spreading of the seeds within the berries so that the new plants will take root and help to stabilize the sand as well as provide habitat for birds and bees.