Processing Collapse is a public art project about extinction made for public libraries.

This work began with marking the collapse of our regional ash trees due to the introduction of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). In just over a decade, 99% of the mature ash in our region died as a result of EAB infestation. Seen another way, 7% of our forest was lost in the blink of an eye. We want to acknowledge the magnitude of that loss as a relevant, historic event with lasting impacts on our lives and ecosystems. Noticing the impacts of non-native insects, fungal blights, and extraction on other tree species has inspired the expansion of our research. We strive to build relationship between the public and our changing forests in our last free commons.

These commons—public libraries—are not merely sites for ecologically-inspired sculpture. Library workers have unique insight about the communities they serve. They engage with local residents across demographics on a daily basis, providing access to information and vital social services as well as opportunities for connection and play. As socially engaged artists, we have found that ongoing conversation and strong rapport with librarians is crucial to the work we want to do.

For each project, we synthesize the distinct character of a library building and patronage with local history and observations in nearby forests. The goal is to identify points of connection between communities and trees that are living and dying in the surrounding ecosystem.

Using locally sourced remnant wood from species in collapse, we construct custom public artworks for our library partners. Depending on the place, these will range in size and scope, from large-scale fixtures to modest wooden sculptures. In all cases, we hope to make relevant, accessible, and inclusive conduits for connecting with the local landscape.

Making Extinction Public

Libraries are the right spaces for this work because they are widely trusted and preserve what is locally relevant. Our process is rooted in regular visits to libraries in our research area, and entering conversation with engaged library directors.

Publicly processing shared loss from our ecosystem is a way to notice, honor, and explore the ecological and cultural significance of threatened trees.

Committed to Collaboration

Our work is wholly collaborative and non-hierarchical. We align as artists who notice beauty and fall into reverie through observation.

Michael’s rural background, public art experience, and familiarity with the forest contrasts and coalesces with Ripley’s urban upbringing, years of working in libraries, and committed writing practice.

Together, we are joyfully shaping a socially engaged project for diverse audiences. Our unconventional collaboration speaks to the relevance of this subject across demographic lines.

Skills and Tools

We are the researchers, designers, and fabricators of each Processing Collapse artwork.

We have experimented with building, burning, carving, carbonizing, coppicing, and composting with fallen trees. We are eager to build new skills to support the needs of particular projects; for instance, we plan to learn historic intarsia techniques for our work at Morton Memorial Library.

We have amassed an extensive tool kit for working with salvaged wood. Facilities at our disposal include a woodworking studio, and metal fabrication workshop. Tools we have accumulated and fabricated include a portable sawmill, charcoal retort, wide range of power tools, hand tools (including carving tools, hand saws, and a range of carving axes), and a simple forge.