Koe
2008
custom circular ditch, water, electric fence, and live cow
H 6’ x Diameter 27’
In 2008 Ferguson was invited by artist, activist, and curator Monique Besten to participate in New Riddles & Constellations, a residency and exhibition in Drenthe, the Netherlands.
Koe (2008) was site-specific installation created in response to the agricultural landscape throughout the Netherlands’ northeastern province of Drenthe. The Netherlands’ landscape is divided into a series of ditches and dikes made to defend against the increasing threat of floods due to the regions relation to sea level. During the two hour train ride from Amsterdam to Kolderveen, Ferguson became increasingly interested in the segmented countryside and in the isolation of small herds of cattle. Koe borrowed individual aspects from the Dutch terrain. The piece isolated one koe (cow), on a custom parcel of land, contained by a single electric fence, and surrounded by a hand-dug circular ditch filled with water. Video documentation was presented in the Kaashal exhibition on a monitor displayed atop a two inch thick circular cut of sod from the moat’s creation.
Meppeler Courant (April 27, 2008)
“Outside on the street sign was the announcement "The Americans are coming!" with marker changed to '... have arrived!' Artist Monique Besten has lived on the site of the former dairy factory since the beginning of March and invited three artist friends from the United States for the first part of her 'residency'. Jason Ferguson, Christian French and Mary Rothlisberger are conducting an art project together and alongside her. 'It is fascinating to experience their introduction to a completely different environment than the one they are used to. In Kolderveen they get to know a different landscape and new people. ' Visual artist Mary Rothlisberger gave a lecture about her work. Work by the four artists was also on display.”
“Particularly striking was a round table with a perfectly round sod on top. On the screen in the grass, the visitor saw the artist in action in a meadow. Toiling, he digs around and digs out the round sod and the bands around it. "A variation on the crop circle," chuckled a visitor. 1 to 5 May: exhibition in the Kaashal with work by Monique Besten, Jason Ferguson, Christian French, Mary Rothlisberger.”