DIRT WORSHIPER I

Video, 2020

Dirt Worshiper I is a macro audio/visual meditation on the flora in my backyard, created in a period of self-isolation during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.

“Dirt worshiper” has been used as a derogatory term to describe environmentalists, however, it has become increasingly clear that soil health (and the fungal mycelium throughout) plays a vital role in the health of our planet.

As an avid mushroom hunter, I spend a lot of time moving slowly while staring at the ground. This has become a meditative practice for me. In Colorado, much attention is given to rain patterns, soil moisture, overnight temperatures, and elevation. As the season progresses, we follow the mushrooms (and moisture) up the mountain. I had originally planned to record video footage and sound within the various ecozones of the Rocky Mountains: Prairies/Grasslands, Riparian, Foothills, Montane, Subalpine, and Alpine. Given the unknown duration of the current travel restrictions and stay-at-home orders, I decided to start within my own backyard.

Seen: Ground covered in early spring snow, soil and compost in garden bed, ground under juniper tree, groundcover, grass, mycelium under mulch.

Heard: Snow melting, compost pile, grass, wind in leaves and groundcover, hay and mulch.