Elegy in Nest and Ash

This site specific installation is a memorial to the population of ash trees across the U.S. that have been decimated by the emerald ash borer, an invasive insect. The black stripe around the trees recalls funeral bands and the box shape echoes gravestones. However, it’s also a call for hope as it provides nesting sites for birds. The face of the birdhouses are inspired by the black and white patterns of red bellied woodpeckers’ wings, since they make their nests in dead trees. The patterns are simultaneously the dots and dashes of Morse code that translate to S.O.S.

Paint, wood, dead ash trees
@ Mildred’s Lane
2025

I teamed up with Kyle Butler during the “What is A Bird?” Session at Mildred’s Lane in response to a prompt from Mark Dion and David Brooks to create a birdhouse.