from: Wildfires in My Landscape, 2021

Animated Photography

I superimposed a found image documenting a recent wildfire in Montana onto a recent photograph I took in rural Ontario, CAN. The animation unfolds over an extended period of time to convey as a premonition, situating the fire as though it is documented in Ontario’s landscape.  

I often think, as I read the news about wildfires elsewhere – that similarly destructive and devastating fires could easily happen in areas where I or my loved ones live, areas which so far, have not been directly impacted by the increase in wildfires resulting from climate change.

Created for an exhibition at Ryniker-Morrison Gallery at Rocky Mountain College in Billings, MT 2021-22

Wildfire Details:

• Name: BobCat Fire
• Date Fire Started: Sept 2, 2020
• Location: Filmed approximately 7 miles southeast of Roundup, MT
• Details: Burned approx. 30,030 acres of primarily short grass and timber, was 95% contained by Oct 7, 2020.

Source of Image Documenting MT Fire: Screen Capture, KTVQ; https://www.ktvq.com/news/local-news/eastern-montana-fire-update-friday-sept-4

Location of Ontario photograph: Caledon, ON