2013
Site-specific installation at Taliesin East, Spring Garden, WI
675 square feet of hand-dyed cotton, 120+ foot tall black walnut tree
The black oak in southwestern Wisconsin is weakened by beetle, worm and borer infestations making the tree susceptible to fungal diseases. The fungi penetrates the vascular cambium and spreads throughout the tree, often leading to a rapid death.
The intention of this work was to define and call attention to the core structure of the tree and to mark the pathways to the foliage.
Additionally, the wrappings were meant to both represent a protective barrier and a bandaging of wounds.
Thank you to Lloyd Natof for the tree climbing lessons, setting the ropes and allowing me to use his climbing gear.