For my “Conversation with Earth” I took a broad view of the transformation of a significant feature of North American over time.
When the Europeans first settled here and began their westward migration they had to cross the great plains prairie in the middle of the country. This unique ecosystem was made up of millions of acres of rolling hills covered in various tall and short grasses and very few trees.
It extended from what is now Canada south to Mexico. Today, it still provides an abundance of resources to the inhabitants as it did to the first settlers, even though less than four percent remains.
This summer I had the opportunity to visit a section of the remaining tall grass prairie in Kansas in what is now called the Flint Hills. I was inspired by what I saw, and the role the prairie has played in growth of this country. Because of its continual presence as a beneficial resource to farming and cattle grazing, the prairie is recognized as something of great value to be preserved.
In order to keep its character and prevent the growth of trees and shrubs the tall grass is renewed each year by fire and grazing, which also keeps back the growth non-native vegetation.
Along the top of my piece titled ‘Abundance and Renewal’ I used hand dyed fabrics to give the impression of fire as it crawls across the prairie at night. I found repurposed tea bags were perfect for the plumes of smoke. Below my impression of abundance is the neatly plowed fields and the new corn crop each year. Here I used commercial cotton, and repurposed sari silk.
The cycle of abundant growth and renewal of resources has played out every year for centuries.
Cindy Brendzel
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