LINDA DUVALL Visual and Media Artist

Tumbleweed Videos

 

Tumbleweeds are an archetypal sign of desolation and dryness in Western Canada. They roll across the open prairie pushed by the wind. But what happens when someone puts a barrier in the way? Like a 10 foot deer fence? Each spring I find a huddle of tumbleweeds in corners of the fence waiting for a helping hand that will allow them to continue their travels.

 

On a windy and cold spring day, I began to try to toss this collection of tumbleweeds over my deer fence. Some flew happily away, others were slammed by the wind directly into the wire of the fence.

 

As I continued, I noticed that the tumbleweeds were forming a lovely border along the top of the fence – not a laurel and ivy frieze, but something close. In video 2, I decided to assist the tumbleweed to form an elegant frieze in the wind.