Mary Jo McConnell, artist.

[Kind of Blue]

Caught a segment of Frontline the other night featuring a fascinating artist, Mary Jo McConnell, whose art is a tribute to another group of artists, her soul-mates, Bowerbirds in West Papua, New Guinea. She sees the birds work exactly as she does as an artist. They use light, composition and color to create gigantic bowers, in comparison to their very small size. I guess we'd call them installations.

http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/rough/2009/08/west_papua_the.html http://www.mjmcconnellart.com/creation/bowers/bowers.html

Not only that, for the past 15years, she's been collecting specimens of fauna from the region for Harvard scientists.

Check her out. She really captures the vibrancy of these bowers and quoted Darwin who said there was no doubt in his mind that the birds found pleasure in building these structures, other than trying to find a mate.

[Forkboy]

1. Bowerbirds rule!

I've seen specials on various kinds before and they're really cool. Birds tend to be cool anyways, but these are the cool among the cool. :)

McConnell's art is excellent. Thanks for the links!

[Kind of Blue]

2. You're welcome!

I agree, these birds are the utmost. I'm really glad you enjoyed the art :)