Diminishing Returns consists of cast Alpine horns, turntables and lathe cut vinyl records. The sounds of avalanches and bird songs play continuously. As the turntable stylus auto repeats, the ongoing cycle of play effectively erodes the vinyl, diminishing the sound quality. Over time, repeated plays will slowly eliminate the birdcalls resulting in a final wall of white noise. This sound piece aims to call attention to the ominous signals from wildlife in the hope that mitigating the effects of climate change will produce a brighter future.
Conceived during an artist residency at the Banff Centre in May, Diminishing Returns will include 9 large format mixed media pieces and 5 works on paper, offering a novel approach to the topic of climate change.
“During a hike in the Canadian Rockies, I heard an avalanche in the distance,” said Folsom. “This propelled me into an investigation of how climate change can affect higher altitudes, and there is, in fact, a correlation between ice melt and the increased frequency of avalanches. But what I was not prepared for was a report by the Audubon Society that presented evidence of birds’ shrinking migratory ranges.” Folsom learned there are currently 314 species of birds under threat as the effect of greenhouse gases cause migratory zones to shift and shrink.
