Evidence of Life

Confluence of the Arts

Materials: Earthen berms, stone, ceramic tile, concrete
Dimensions: Overall design stretches around several acres

Mace Ranch Park 
3141 5th St. 
Davis, CA 95616 

Commissioned by the City of Davis Art in Public Places
Year completed: 2006

Evidence of Life  consists of a solar calendar, a winding path and inlaid tiles reaching around a wildlife habitat. The artwork wraps around several acres of the park.

The solar calendar includes an earthen spiral (50 feet in diameter) with upright stones set to align, marking sunrises and sunsets at each solstice and equinox. In the center of the spiral rests a flat stone seat for the viewer to “activate” the calendar. The stones in the spiral align with additional marker stones, approximately 350-400 feet away at various points along the opposite perimeter of the habitat area, pointing toward the solstice and equinox sunrises.

The 4000+ tiles (many of them made by local residents) present marks, impressions, and images referring to plants and animals residing in and passing through the site. These inlaid tiles follow a meandering path around the habitat section of the park. As time passes, we can watch changes in the park through the seasons and the years.