real bird imprints

The following is a detailed outline of the test I performed to re-create the effect of a migratory bird colliding with a window.
-remove birds from freezer and let them thaw for two hours
-pin back wings and fan out tail feathers
-wipe plexiglass until surface is clean of fingerprints/dust
-apply a thin film of oil to the plexiglass (works as a clear adhesive)
-cover bird in mix of baby powder and chinchilla dust
-shake off excess powder and hold the bird as if it were in full flight
-press bird firmly against the glass and remove quickly

meeting @ ROM #3

I met with Mark Peck at the ROM this morning.
-I collected five frozen bird specimens of different sizes and species.
-I ran home as quickly as I could to put them in the freezer before they began to smell.
-I have also borrowed three stuffed birds.
-below is a copy of the bird loan form from the ROM

-also below, the educational salvage permit received last week from Canadian Wildlife Service

critique #2

I'm IN THE SHOW!

A few minor changes I'd like to make before the gallery show next month.
1. supports
-the plexi will be suspended from the ceiling with aircraft cable (clean lines)
-currently the chain reflects the lighting and is bulky
-the wooden structure holding up the piece should be "lightened" in appearance
2. light switch
-needs to be fixed to the wall, not hanging beside it
3. processing/arduino/audio
-remove all
-unnecessary and distracts from the work
4. paint
-paint wooden structure grey to hide it against concrete ceiling

work week

I felt strongly about my concept and wanted my concern to be communicated though my art.
Here are some of the changes I've made to my piece over the last week.

1. windows
-I cut to size 9 different plexiglass panes that range in hight from 8ft to 3 ft
-the plexiglass can be more easily recognized as representative of buildings (less domestic)
2. reflection
-each plexiglass pane was covered with a reflective film (used for cars)
-the reflection mimics that of a downtown skyscraper
-participants better understand THEIR involvement in the issue as they notice their own reflection
3. spot lights
-stronger lighting refer to the blinding light a migratory bird would find disorienting in the city
4. bird impressions
-stencils were cut from bird imprints found online
-applied to windows with baby powder and brushes
-a way of showing violence without blood (I didn't want anything fake in the piece)
5. space
-I repositioned the windows to be tighter together
-the idea of walking through the space has been eliminated
6. participation
-normal household light switch is positioned against the wall
-speaks to how easily we could save so many lives - just flick off the light switch
7. structure
-I built a 4ft x 4ft wooden structure from which to hang the plexiglass from
-this way the orientation of the plexi will be the same anywhere I install the piece
8. processing/arduino
-processing sketch and an arduino were hidden above the piece on the wooden structure (code)
-the sounds of birds repeatedly hitting windows would play once the light switch had been turned on
-I recorded the sounds by using different objects to mimic the thudding sound of a bird (listen)

revisit bird impressions

Some time ago I had an interesting conversation concerning the direction of my thesis project with Michael Mesure, the executive director of the Fatal Light Awareness Program here in Toronto. At the time I had a very vague idea of the way my artwork was going to come together physically. Michael spoke about the way in which a bird will leave a vivid imprint of itself when it collides with a window. This is the result of how migratory birds bathe, in dust.

I am returning to this idea of bird impressions against glass as it could denote the violent act of a bird hitting a window all while drawing the viewer closer as they view the almost beautiful rendering. I find the detail of the wings to be very striking.
I found a flickr group which collects images of these bird collisions. (link)
Below are some examples of stencils I made to try and recreate the powdery imprint left my birds on windows.

While I am satisfied with the stencilled outlines, I would find out if it is possible to press real birds against glass and attain the same detailed effect. My next step then is to speak with Mark Peck at the ROM about using real birds.