Adolescent Echo is an interactive installation of birdhouses that repeat short phrases when spoken into them. The artwork is inspired by the impact adults’ words have on youth. Children are like sponges, absorbing everything around them and always repeating what they see and hear. The artist hopes that this artwork inspires adults to be mindful of their words and the influence they have on children.
“Growing up in a secluded wooded environment, I learned early on in my life that all creatures play an important role. It is no surprise that these early encounters would be reflected in my artwork through large scale depictions of insects, frogs, and fish. I continued to expand on this idea by representing the relationships that are shared between man and the environment. I often use subjective colors and distortion of scale to present an ordinary object in a unique way. It is my goal to connect with the viewer and create a kind of internal disturbance so that they are no longer viewing the art, they are experiencing the art.” – Craig Merchant