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Seeing Beauty in Devastation

Here in the Foothills of Northern California, the potential for wildfire is likely the most imminent and dangerous risk we experience on an ongoing basis. In El Dorado County, the Caldor Fire of 2021 left a massive footprint ecologically and socially, and like other wildfires, including last fall’s Mosquito Fire, it will continue to impact the land and people here. Numerous efforts in the county are addressing wildfire recovery and protection, and aligned with those efforts, I had an idea for public art to be woven into the fabric of awareness, care, support, and resilience, in the face of increasing wildfire and climate-related risks in the region.

Walking and driving in areas of the Caldor burn scar can bring up swells of grief, shock, and sorrow, and a sense of unique beauty. I’ve marked spots on a map on my phone where the burn scar shows powerful views of change: in Sly Park and Happy Valley, over the crest of Mormon Emigrant Trail, at the bridge at Silver Fork, up the road to Wrights Lake, along Highway 50 from Horsetail Falls over Echo Summit, through the Potholes near Silver Lake, and on the path to Lover’s Leap. And, Grizzly Flats.


The scale of 221,835 acres is hard to fathom and can seem like a monotonous wasteland. Yet each remaining tree and stump has a unique sculptural form, and taken together, can appear like spikes and troughs in undulating waveforms. One can find many areas that were only slightly affected or completely unscathed, sheltered from the path of wind-born flames. And, there are areas that are vigorously or slowly growing back.


I’m collaborating with some forest experts and researchers to help me better understand factors like burn severity data and maps of the Caldor and Mosquito Fires. I’m in the midst of making collaged images that integrate maps, video frames, and photos filtered through the emotions and observations of loss and rebirth. While doing this, I ask myself: 


What might be my personal relationship with and responsibility for the land where I live?


What aspects of our shared history influenced the current state of forest health and risk?


What solutions might the community be able to access and apply toward healing and resilience?


What I hope this project will do for others is to serve as a conversation starter, a vehicle to prompt emotions and explore more questions to see and use the positive parts of this moment, here.


-- Ameera Godwin, Co-Founder and Artistic Director, Myrtle Tree Arts



FIRE/LAND

An Experience Inspiring Community Resilience

Saturday, June 10th, 2023, 4PM - 10PM

Wakamatsu Farm, 941 Cold Springs Road, Placerville, CA 95667


A project of Myrtle Tree Arts and co-hosted by the American River Conservancy, this unique "art rock opera for the forest" and public forum will happen at the landmark Wakamatsu Farm. During the speaker forum in the late afternoon, local experts and representatives will share community issues related to wildfire, land stewardship, emergency preparedness, cultural preservation, and forest ecology. The evening features Main Street Collective's Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon 50th Anniversary concert followed by FIRE/LAND: Knowing the Territory, a musical and dramatic performance starring musicians, singers, Native American storyteller, and video projections in a creative exploration of wildfire, ecological change, and resilience in El Dorado County. This intellectual and creative experience strives to spark inspiration and your call to action in support of community resilience! 
See more details on the Myrtle Tree Arts Fire/Land page.


FIRE/LAND: The Exhibition

SWITCHBOARD GALLERY

Arts and Culture El Dorado 

525 Main St. Placerville, CA

June 8 - August 6, 2023

Experience this installation of Ameera Godwin's digital prints and video from FIRE/LAND.

 

Artist Talk, July 13th, 6pm 

 

 

FIRE/LAND is made possible with support from:

The Latrobe Fund, Sacramento Region Community Foundation,
Pure Life/Sacred Roots, in partnership with the
American River Conservancy and Arts and Culture El Dorado

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