Orientation

The structure is simultaneously a ‘potential memorial’ for the bees, and a celebration of the sun on which all life depends.

It makes specific reference to the marvellous and mysterious components of bee orientation: verticality (gravity); geometry (beehive cell structure); and the position of the sun relative to the hive.

The project also refers to the mortal threat to global bee population from certain insecticides, which can interrupt the neural orientation processes by which bees find their food. This severely impacts human food production, since one third of it is bee-pollinated.

The enigmatic triangular monolith in the landscape gives no hint of its interior until visitors are drawn under its shelter, where gaps in the horizontal boards allow viewers to see inside.

Enclosed is a darkened space which reflective surfaces on the inside transform into a hexagonal ‘cell’. The light column symbolises the sun and emits six beams of light which fall across the floor and move as the sun traverses the sky. Only one beam indicates the true direction of the sun.

The sides of the structure are waterproofed with wood preservative, the heavy smell of which evokes the toxicity of the neo-nicotinoids which lead to the bee’s decline. Subtle bee wing and flower paintings by Marianne Morild in dripping black gloss oil-like paint adorn the outside.

A beehive is included as part of the exhibit in collaboration with a local beekeeper. The bees enter at the foot of the tip of the triangle, away from the viewing position.

‘Orientation’ has been acquired by the City of Bergen, Norway, where in it will become part of a newly created Sculpture Park Trail in early 2018.