Silent Running - Wet Felted Art on Display in THE EXOTIC SUBLIME: Treading Softly
Silent Running– Western Diamondback
Like many humans who live in the desert, I have never felt a particular fondness for snakes in general–fear would be a more apt description! But over the last couple of months I have continued to notice repeated opportunities to have “rattlesnakes” brought to my attention. Whether in conversations with friends or memories of personal encounters I eventually felt a need to investigate this neighbor of mine in more detail. The Western Diamondback is a pit viper who, for the most part, moves silently through our Sonoran Desert environment. We have all most likely and unknowingly hiked past many of these snakes. Unless they feel threatened, you will not hear them shake their famous tail rattle (which is composed of keratin–just like your fingernails!). An amazing evolutionary adaptation is how they move. No arms, no legs, no wings, or fins. The bottom of the diamondback’s body is segmented along its length in one row except where it nears the tail and separates into two rows to accommodate the cloaca (a good way to differentiate it from other similar looking snakes). The snake’s complex muscle system teams up with the segments to accomplish movement. They hold their tail straight out behind them when moving to be silent and not attract predators that would like to eat them! Western Diamondbacks are amazing creatures in many other ways. After being inspired to create this mandala, I not only have a healthy respect for this poisonous inhabitant of the Sonoran Desert, but also admiration and appreciation for the unique niche it occupies in the wholeness and synergy of our environment.
THE EXOTIC SUBLIME: TREADING SOFTLY presents a contemporary bestiary focused on the many creatures that walk above or live below the earth in the Sonoran Desert. This is the second of four exhibit’s Susan’s work was selected to participate in. Admission is free at Tohono Chul’s Main Gallery.
Opening reception for the artists was a real turn out!
