Hendry's Beach Walk

Hendry's Beach Walk was about edges, the edge of the land as it meets the sea, the edge we live on. It illuminated the fragility of our life as it emphasized the immense power of the sea not only to take away our lives but to reshape life and regurgitate it in ways that only the sea can determine. The paper was dragged out by the water, reshaped, and returned to the land in a different shape. The same surf relentlessly takes away sand, crumbling the seaside cliffs, and then returning those same grains to the beach or shoals, an endless cycle of transformation and regeneration.

The sand is chilled and wet as I struggle to drag the large roll of brown paper out to my chosen starting place. The brown color of the paper blends with the damp sand. Small rocks are no obstacles. I roll over them. It makes no difference if the paper tears. We, the paper and I, move inexorably toward no goal.

 

There are few people on the beach, only the most dedicated walkers. Some express mild curiosity. Once satisfied that I am in no way harming the environment with my silly activity, the questioners continue on their way, leaving me alone with the paper, the sand and the water.

I can see short lengths of paper disintegrate into pulp, battered by the relentless push and pull of the water. With the pieces that I retrieve from the hungry foam, I cover large boulders. Texture layered upon texture.