THE EARTH PROJECT
Marjie Fries has collaborated with many international artists while artist-in-residence in the Netherlands, Germany, Zimbabwe and Scotland. Her work has evolved as a conceptual expression of landscape marked by humans, into “environmental art activist.” Marj’s first year at the artist retreat at Chico Basin Ranch is a celebration of finding workable clay on the ranch and sustainable working and living practices in a pristine site!
Chico Basin Ranch is a working model of the High Prairie. The artist’s workshop at the Ranch in June 2005 gave me the opportunity to be at one in that landscape. Pockets of clay are found along the stream beds. Digging the clay by handfuls and carrying it to camp in my backpack afforded me the material to begin an exploration of the essence of Chico Basin Ranch. The timelessness of Chico Basin is symbolized by the geology of this clay found on site. The art works are my first attempts at working the clay to honor the majesty of this ancient landscape. Serendipitous history relates to the clay deposits at Chico Basin Ranch. Artumus Van Bringle traveled from Ohio in 1900 to Chico Basin Ranch to recuperate from tuberculosis. He had been a designer at the famous Rookwood Pottery in Cincinnati. While at the Ranch, he found clay deposits which he began working and within the year had established an art pottery in Colorado Springs. The EARTH Project 2006 – Chico Basin Ranch Indigenous clay used to form these works was dug from Chico Creek during the June artist’s gathering. They were formed on site during the weekend and then pit fired. ‘Cactus Bowls’ are inspired by close observation of plant life during long walks on the high prairie desert. www.chicobasinranch.com www.vanbriggle.com |