Collection: Cardinal Code Three
Decommissioned fire hose, surplus furring strips, birch dowels, Northern Cardinal bird call, aluminum rivets
36 x 216 x 4"
Concept: Sherry Davis
Design/Fabrication: Mark Alhadeff & Sherry Davis
In Cardinal Code Three, Davis transforms discarded fire hose donated by local fire departments into a sculptural rendering of a Northern Cardinal’s alarm call. The work originated during a visit to the park, where Davis and her partner encountered a dense chorus of birdsong. Several calls appeared to signal the presence of human visitors in the birds’ territory, evoking for Davis the warning sirens associated with first responders.
In emergency-service terminology, “Code 3” generally refers to a response using lights and sirens. The title brings these distinct forms of signaling into conversation: the cardinal’s alarm, the firefighter’s call to action, and the repurposed hose’s transition from functional equipment to artistic material.
The audio player below features the bird call that inspired the work.
Hear the Cardinal's Call:
EXHIBITION HISTORY
July 18 - October 11, 2026
Opening: Saturday, July 18, 10am - 12pm
North Fork Audubon Society, Inlet Pond County Park, Greenport, NY
