Ayala Braidman

Desert Tag

Desert pop culture “Tagging” is the recurring use of a single symbol or series of symbols to mark territory. My interest in soil as raw material led to the creation of a formal language – letters with which I can write anything. And so, I chose to write my name. I designed a set of tools for rammed earth that I could take with me to the desert, including a press with which I compressed soil into molds and gave the material a new shape. Wherever I went, I left my signature using the local soil. The use of a natural material allows it to disappear and disintegrate back into the desert. The signature is a combination of shapes from rammed earth and the shadow they cast. Because of how the shapes are arranged throughout the area, the complete piece can only be seen on a certain date and time. Advisor: Ganchrow Dov