THE CYCLE OF LIFE

Project Summary

The Cycle of Life is a project to develop solutions to the barriers humans have created in the life cycles of our animal family. In the short term, an interactive exploration of the life cycles of Trout. In the long term, working fish ladders, for all fish species, on the entire Columbia river system.

The lead artist for this piece is Angela Elise Stober, and I'll be playing the role of engineering-logistics-project management, which is how I envision applying my skillset in the most effective way.  We'll be inviting collaboration with many other artists, communities, volunteers - as many people as we can.  This piece is so much bigger than any one person.

Physical Description 
This piece is very much in development. In the current conception:

It will be circular in plan, with 7-10 Trout sculptures arrayed around a climbable fish ladder. The fish would vary in size (from 2' x 20'), reflective of their stage in life, and be built of metal, with ceramic panels. There will be fabric elements, as well, to both attract attention, and guide the participants through the piece.

The fish ladder at the center would be climbable, negotiable by humans, with parallels to the fish's experience - it will not be easy to climb, but there will be a navigable route. The top will be a 'resting pool' for contemplation of life cycles. This will stand 15-20 feet tall.

There are many opportunities to engage other artists, and the piece will evolve.  For example, in the current conception, the ceramic panels for the fish would be manifested in outreach programs, involving people in many stages of life, for the different fish - kids for the fry, elders for the elders.  And so on.  There is much to do!

Physical Dimensions : 50' diameter, 20' tall.

Interactivity

Participants will be drawn in by the elegant sculptures, the ladder, the flags blowing in the wind. As the piece opens up on closer interaction, there will be spaces for contemplation, comparative experiences, encouraging dialogue about our relations with our animal family. Climbing the fish ladder will encourage perspectives on their struggle, and build optimism that we can do this! We have the tools, knowledge, resources, and there's no reason not to change the world for the better.

What is the philosophy of the piece?

Basically, that fish lives are important, equally as important as any other.  And by building a connection between fish and humans, we can integrate their perspective into dialogues about our common futures.

We're starting with a piece about the life cycles of trout, as charismatic, but less celebrated members of the Salmonid family.  There are many fish in the rivers, and they'll be using the ladders too, but Angela's chosen trout as our representative species.

By making connections between our human lives and those of the Trout, the piece will build optimism and enthusiasm for human agency in the creation of a better world for all.  By which I mean, break through pessimism, old barriers, and embrace the potential for a brighter future.  We can do this.

This piece is far larger than us, and will involve extensive community outreach. We have a very creative community here in the Columbia watershed, and there are many opportunities for involvement, and we intend to make the most of this opportunity.  And that outreach and involvement is an important part of the piece, as well.
 

The first stop for the Cycle will be Burning Man 2026, and it will then tour communities along the Columbia - involving as many people as possible in the largest public art project we can imagine. Fish ladders on every dam along the Columbia! 

This is not trivial, and we are not treading lightly here. We mean it. 

Timeline for The Cycle
We've submitted an LOI to burning man arts, and will hear back from them in December.  We'll then prepare a full proposal - and we'd like to include as many artists as are willing and able to participate, in whatever ways they can.  There will be many zoom calls.

Design and development thru May 2026

Build & outreach May - August 2026

and then Burning Man Sept 2026.  After that, the piece will tour the Columbia Watershed to raise awareness through public engagement, and build momentum for the fish ladder project!

Roles

Angela Elise Stober - Lead Artist

Quill Hyde - Engineering, logistics, design

and ... who else wants to be part of this?  There are many roles to fill.  Many roles to define.  

Sculpting, Metalwork, Ceramics, Fabric, Grant Writing, Rope Weaving, Research, Outreach, Media, Lighting, Transport, Build, Volunteer Coordination, Scheduling... to name a few.

This will be a fully collaborative effort.  

What makes the end goal actually possible is that people have been hard at work figuring these out.  They are QUITE COMPLEX.  But the information is out there - a scan through https://media.fisheries.noaa.gov/2023-02/anadromous-salmonid-passage-design.pdf ought to convince you that this is entirely possible.  There are engineers, biologists, heavy thinkers ready to get to work  - not to mention contractors and heavy equipment and concrete teams - we just need to secure the resources to make this happen.  And I know we can.

This project makes sense on so many levels - both economic and spiritual - and the opportunity to change the world for the better is fully possible.  Let's do it!