Land+Living: Kathryn Miller

Art — March 2, 2005 Posted by James

Eco-artist

One of the strongest influences from my college education was my exposure to the works of artist Kathryn Miller at Pitzer College. The concepts and perspectives behind her art struck a deep chord with me, and are an influence in my thinking to this day - a philosophy of working with the land.

Kathryn is both an artist and biologist and is particularly concerned with the importance of place - local ecology, native species, and the natural condition. Many of her projects are interventions which work with ecological systems, while others are commentary dealing with issues of ecological concern. Based in Southern California Kathryn's projects are inspired by local issues such as arid landscapes, urban sprawl and non-native species - from guerilla re-vegetation to lawn life-support, etc.

My work is not about beauty but about challenging the "notion" of beauty that prevails as a general aesthetic in our culture.

Link: greenmuseum.org - Kathryn Miller

Seed Bombs
Pods made of compressed soil and locally native seeds are distributed as an act of guerrilla re-vegetation of damaged lands. Kathryn has targeted specific sites (bombing shown at top), and has also distributed the bombs to museum visitors. For more info, check out this past Seed Bomb exhibition at Pomona College.

Lawns in the Desert
This series in collaboration with Michael Honer questions the idea of lawns which are entirely dependant on life support - imported water, chemical application, and endless manicuring.

6 comments

Comments (6)

gayle Weinstein — May 31, 2006
seed bombs

I would like to get more information on seed bombs. How to make them, how to use them, etc. We are restoring areas within Denver and look at all possible good approaches. Hope you can help. Thanks

jadene fourman — October 14, 2006
seed bombs

i would also like to get the basic recipe for seed bombs, as in how to compress the soil mixture for throwing intact.. thanks.

mrs mac — March 26, 2007
teaching children about the work of environmetalist artists

I am an art teacher who is trying to evoke thought provoking art into the minds of primary aged children.The children are investigating the art work of Kathryn Miller and other environmental artists in the view of developing their own individual visuals of man made disasters which have impacted on ecosystems and environments throughout the world. the children will be starting an istallation at our school and use of seed bombs will be used in the installation

Carole K. Walsh — June 1, 2007
Greening 45,000 vacant lots in Pittsburgh

I am founder of Urban Farming Initiative of Pgh. Pa. and will be working with eco-choreographer Tarin Chaplin from Montepellier, Vt. to do a performance this fall in Pgh. with communities of all ages with regard to farming/greening on 45,000 vacant lots. This could be an opportunity for the people of Pittsburgh to make a statement with regard to city ownership of property being held in trust for the developers. Any suggestions would be welcomed. Thank you Carole

brian — March 6, 2009
seed bombers ride again...

may day, may day...it's coming soon! if interesting in getting together to make a bunch of seed bombs and go for a fun bike ride get in touch. we'll be kicking it off in 2009 in millvale. peace, brian mountainluve@yahoo.com

bbbotanist — June 7, 2009
convervation biologist

I am so interested in you biological work, and would love to get an insiders perspective. I am very interested in Southern California's flora but I am barely emerging from the institutionalization of obtaining a degree and becoming a part of the world of research. Your work sounds very creative and inspiring, something that I would be very interested in knowing more about. I swear sometimes I feel as though I wish I could have majored in many different disciples but went with Biology because it would lead to me something interesting. like this site. Thank you egardner@rsabg.org