Meet In The Middle

Tribute to the trees

For this project our class was tasked to meet in the middle between where we live and where our partner lived, share something, and examine the space for an installation. My partner was Maddy Lush, who didn't live that for from me (praise God). We met up, both with snacks to share with each other, and we discussed the purpose of the place around us. We had decided that these few trees, along with all the other around us, were there for our enjoyment. We were able to enjoy them while doing homework, walking to class, or simply when we needed a breath of fresh air. The nature and trees around us were there for us. So we asked ourselves a question, what would it look like if we were there for these few trees and the rest of our surroundings?

So many times in our day to day life we neglect to realize how much nature has actually given us. We are part of a consumer culture that likes to take and take, without giving where the products come from a second thought. So, to pay tribute to the trees, we decided to be mindful about every item of paper we used that week (and for the rest of our lives). Every grocery run, or trip to the DC allowed us to gather MORE than enough material to string from tree to tree. It was honestly really convicting, knowing that I usually throw away all these things. I felt like some evil cartoon villain trying to return a little child back to his mother after I stole him and changed him. But either way, as the villain, I was trying to make it right. Maybe thats a bit dramatic I don't know.

After the installation was set up, me and Maddy just kept talking about how cute it was, and how homey it made everything in that little corner. Not only were we comforted by the original nature that was there, but we were comforted by what we made, knowing that we hadn't wasted anything they gave to us. This project just calls to mind how we can better appreciate the world around us, and how hard it works to aid in our survival.