Trophies For the Foolhardy
Consisting of images of Colorado 14ers draped in garlands of flowers, Trophies for the Foolhardy serve as symbolic salutations for the imagined mastery of nature and superficial evocation of ruggedness that is inevitably enacted through outdoor recreation. Utilizing the symbolism of trophy, the pieces allude to contest and the artificial struggle with nature that is enacted through outdoor recreation. Here, the triumph of conquering a 14,000-foot summit is acknowledged by deceptively beautiful garlands consisting of invasive exotic plants that have been identified by the Colorado Department of Agriculture for eradication.