Agency of a Path

2015
Grand-Métis, Quebec, Canada

This path lives and grows. It is made of identical softwood pavers, each side of which is cut at a compound angle. As these pavers are combined with each other, the faceted faces of each combine to shape the movements of water across the path. As the ends of pavers meet, rills are formed. Each rill acts as pockets through which water ebbs and flows. As this occurs, soil accumulates, pavers slowly decompose, and opportunistic woodland plants take root. The garden path emerges before the eyes, and at the feet, of each visitor, providing countless moments of spontaneous and unexpected growth.

Change is the only constant to shape this garden. This installation is intended to grow and change with no maintenance: time is the only force to shape it. Subtle topography adjacent to the path encourages water and sediment to flow through each rill, accelerating processes of change.