Weathering Oklahoma
The Weathering Oklahoma Project involved the participation of Oklahomans in all 77 counties, to create an art piece that depicts weather variations across the state.
During tornado season, every aspect of an Oklahoman’s life is influenced by the weather. When watching local TV, there is almost always an image of the state of Oklahoma in the corner of the screen with counties highlighted with shades of green, blue, yellow, and occasionally red, warning the public of heavy rains, flooding, thunderstorms, and tornadoes. It is interesting to me that this map of Oklahoma and its counties never changes. The political boundaries that humans have created to serve as a sense of place remain constant and recognizable, maintaining a feeling of familiarity and safety. However in reality the impact that deadly weather has on this land can dramatically alter the landscape, causing streets to become unrecognizable because familiar landmarks are no longer there for way finding. To further this conversation, I have used sheets of mild steel to cut out each of the 77 counties in Oklahoma. Each county has a rod welded to the back, which was converted into a stake. I made contact with people that reside in each of the counties and formed an itinerary to travel through Oklahoma to each county to install each stake. Each stake was at full exposure to the weather, and facing the appropriate cardinal direction of the actual county for three months, then returned to me via pre-paid postage. The resulting piece provides a new perspective on how the weather actually affects the land across the state.
It was important to me to personally install each stake, because the journey was a crucial part of this project. This expedition took 13 days and over 3,500 miles to complete and documentation was a necessary component. My husband and I filmed the entirety of the journey, interviewing Oklahomans across the state. We have hopes that a full-length documentary film can be formed. The purpose of this documentary would be to showcase the diverse beauty of Oklahoma’s landscape and culture as we explore ideas of permanence and the sublime. The various contacts interviewed were asked where they take shelter during a tornado, what supplies they have handy, etc.
Insight on the life of an Oklahoman during tornado season is truly unique and worthy of sharing with those not aware of the precautions one must make to stay safe.
During tornado season, every aspect of an Oklahoman’s life is influenced by the weather. When watching local TV, there is almost always an image of the state of Oklahoma in the corner of the screen with counties highlighted with shades of green, blue, yellow, and occasionally red, warning the public of heavy rains, flooding, thunderstorms, and tornadoes. It is interesting to me that this map of Oklahoma and its counties never changes. The political boundaries that humans have created to serve as a sense of place remain constant and recognizable, maintaining a feeling of familiarity and safety. However in reality the impact that deadly weather has on this land can dramatically alter the landscape, causing streets to become unrecognizable because familiar landmarks are no longer there for way finding. To further this conversation, I have used sheets of mild steel to cut out each of the 77 counties in Oklahoma. Each county has a rod welded to the back, which was converted into a stake. I made contact with people that reside in each of the counties and formed an itinerary to travel through Oklahoma to each county to install each stake. Each stake was at full exposure to the weather, and facing the appropriate cardinal direction of the actual county for three months, then returned to me via pre-paid postage. The resulting piece provides a new perspective on how the weather actually affects the land across the state.
It was important to me to personally install each stake, because the journey was a crucial part of this project. This expedition took 13 days and over 3,500 miles to complete and documentation was a necessary component. My husband and I filmed the entirety of the journey, interviewing Oklahomans across the state. We have hopes that a full-length documentary film can be formed. The purpose of this documentary would be to showcase the diverse beauty of Oklahoma’s landscape and culture as we explore ideas of permanence and the sublime. The various contacts interviewed were asked where they take shelter during a tornado, what supplies they have handy, etc.
Insight on the life of an Oklahoman during tornado season is truly unique and worthy of sharing with those not aware of the precautions one must make to stay safe.
-Discover Weathering Oklahoma, the creation of the piece, and more at: www.facebook.com/weatheringok-
November 2016 - Weathering Oklahoma Video
August 2015 - KOCO News Channel 5 Fall Weather Special: Weathering Oklahoma Project
Weathering Oklahoma: A Collection of Works available for purchase below:
