Erika Reed - Art/Work

Unpacking my cheatgrass after about a week back in Oslo, I found that some moisture trapped inside the bag with the cheatgrass had caused a few of the plants to sprout. I had a vision of turning an exhibition space into an invasive species nursery or paper farm. So I rushed out to pick up a pot and some soil, and promptly planted some of the grass (both sprouts, seeds, and root stock) to see if I can get it to grow. 

Also over the winter holidays, I started the process of making paper from an invasive species of grass, Bromus Tectorum (better known as cheatgrass or downy brome), which has effectively taken over, producing significant structural and functional changes to most desert ecosystems in the US. The photos above show a bag of cheatgrass collected adjacent to a recent wildfire in the foothills outside Boise, Idaho, and the cheatgrass fibers being pounded with a rubber mallet. First, the grass was soaked for 24 hours, then cooked in a solution of water and soda ash (sodium carbonate) for two hours. Then, drained, thoroughly rinsed, the fibers were beat thoroughly for 45-50 minutes until the fibers dispersed evenly when added to water. I then dried the mass out in the oven (to prevent it from molding in transit) and stowed it away in my luggage to take back to Oslo. This is only a portion of the grass harvested, processing being limited by the research facilities (a home kitchen and whatever accoutrements I could find around the house).

Spent a few days over the holidays working on a new series of muliti-block woodcuts looking at the (directly or indirectly) human factors influencing wildfire frequency and severity. The backgrounds are made using plywood partially burned in a fire.

Installation views of my work in conjunction with the group exhibition A Lick and a Promise at Kunstplass Contemporary in Oslo, on view from January 10-20.

The results of a mezzotint workshop at KHiO - with Jukka Vänttinen (from Sweden/Finland) and Erling Valtyrsson (Norway)

Wildfire progression maps as books. Burned or cut Japanese paper, linseed oil, waxed linen thread.

“Pocket maps” made from copper etching plates with hardground carried on different fire assignments during this past fire season (summer, 2018). Each etching is paired with a factual description of the fire and assignment, and a short, subjective story from each incident.

Installation of a deconstructed map of the Owyhee Fire in Galleri Elgen in Tynset. Paper strips, PVA medium and waxed linen thread.

Work/Research, summer 2018

A few images from Helium AiR at Hydrogenfabrikken in Fredrikstad, August 1st-20th, 2018.

Og sikkert en brennhet samtale om skogen i tillegg.”

Owyhee book process video

More Miss Read 2018!

Tracks Made by Walking, an evolving accordion book of etchings made by carrying around a series of hardground etching plates in a backpack for a month each. 2017-18. 

2018.

From the unveiling of Fujiko Nakaya’s Pathfinder, with @suzannahro 

Scenes from Miss Read 2018 at Haus der Kulturen der Welt in Berlin