|
The “New San Andreas Fault” Arrives at CMC
-By Cyndera Quackenbush
Notice anything different while pulling into the Copper Mountain College (CMC) parking lot this morning? Now surrounding the CMC sign, is an eye-catching bestowal of precisely placed rocks and bricks. More than just landscaping, this is art. More than just art, this is Earth Works.
The piece is entitled “New San Andreas Fault,” and it is a microcosm of the near-by desert region: “We are showing the geography and geology of the area that is served by Copper Mountain College- that’s the theme,” said Art Department Chair and designer of the project, Spellman Downer.
Large stones were collected off the actual San Andreas Fault and then brought to the college to be assembled. Represented in the work is San Gorgonio, the Little San Bernardino Mountains and even special rocks to serve as CMC and College of the Desert. Black asphalt portrays the supposedly extinct Pinto fault and broken pieces of red brick are pieced together like a puzzle in a pathway that represents the “new” San Andreas Fault.
“The New San Andreas is a geologic theory - somewhat controversial - that maybe there’s a new branch of the San Andreas braking off in the Coachella Valley and heading straight into Yucca Valley,” stated Downer.
The work was done mostly on Saturday, Feb. 12th and was an all day project, not to mention a good work out, for the participants. It included collecting the small to large granite and gneiss rocks (which were appropriate because of their unique banding and wind blown qualities), having a lunch that was paid for by Downer, and doing the actual creative work in CMC’s front yard. The participants, which included Downer, Steve Koeppel, Lindsey Kettenton, Wally Warren and Cyndera Quackenbush, who also had a great deal of fun in the process.
“It’s nice to contribute something to the college that will last for awhile. Every time I come to the college I get a chance to see the art work and know that I took part in it,” remarked CMC art student, Steve Koeppel.
Earth Works is an ongoing club at CMC. There are a bundle of new projects in the near future and also plenty of room for new members to join. If you would like to get involved, look out for Earth Works posters around campus or you can contact Spellman Downer via e-mail to [email protected]. He is also frequently found in the art rooms 121/122.
|
|
