521 “Population” Circle of 17 “Nest” Orbs

The installation includes 29 circles representing the surviving populations of the endangered New Mexico meadow jumping mouse along the Rio Grande. Each circle includes 17 orbs assembled from the stems and seed pods of the tall tumble mustard plant without additional adhesive. Structurally sturdy, these echo the “day nests” made by the mice, who live in small family groups. The circles can be stalled anywhere from 1 foot to 4 feet in diameter. Installation simply requires 17 pin holes, and a “leg” of each orb, when inserted, will hold the orb in place through tension and gravity. c marquez would like to see these circles go out into the world, like the tumbleweeds they are made from, after their time at GVG.