Scorched Earth

24" x 20" x 20"

Dyed rattan, wooden game pieces, beads, oak

With the delightful Mediterranean climate and laid-back vibe, living in Los Angeles must be an idyllic reality for many Angelenos. The fires of early 2025 put an end to that dream for many residents and business owners in the affected areas, whose worst nightmare may have been that, with the costs of rebuilding, insurance, and restrictive permits, they would have to sell and relocate. Over a year later, little renewal has occurred, and it seems that the nightmare has come true. The term scorched earth originated during the second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945); however, the practice of ensuring that land was destroyed and made useless to advancing armies had originated during wars in ancient times and has persisted throughout history.