Trees are individuals, just as people are individuals, and like all relationships, the ones between humans and trees are diverse and ever changing. This spring-time appreciation of trees, led by artists Howard and Mary McCoy, ecologist Joan Maloof and dancer Sandra Kammann, will have you looking at trees and their many roles in our lives in a whole new way.
To highlight and acknowledge our complex relationships with trees the McCoy’s have installed branches within the SANDBOX Studio. Bringing the forest indoors while also installing ephemeral pieces along Cross Street at Stepne Manor, and on the Washington College Campus. The Branches within the gallery space will be adorned with Joan Maloof’s 9/11 memorial tags. These tags were used to convert a stand of old growth forest, in Talbot County, into a living memorial, in order to both commemorate the victims and spare the trees from future loggings efforts. Much of the limited old growth forest that survives on the Eastern Shore is currently unprotected from logging, despite its presence inside preserved land. Maloof’s Old Growth Forest Network has endeavored to preserve a stand of old growth trees in each county in Maryland.
On Campus they have wrapped the trees alongside the Gibson Center for the Arts parking lot in saffron scarves, recalling a process in which Buddhist monks initiate trees into their order, to preserve them from clear cutting and logging attempts. A sign also hangs from the large Elm tree outside of Daly Hall, declaring it the Omphalus, or navel of the World in the tradition of Greek mythology.
In the McCoy’s own words
“Humans have always had an affinity with trees. Perhaps it has something to do with their towering, upright stature. As the largest plants on earth, they are regarded as the rulers of the plant kingdom and the plant equivalent of human beings. Native Americans called trees the “Standing People.”
Those of us who have stayed in one place for several years, or even a lifetime, have had the opportunity to develop long-term relationships with individual trees. Over time, we watch them change with the seasons and survive all types of weather. We experience their growth—slow, but steady—and sometimes we experience their deaths. Trees are long-term witnesses of our human activities. We have stories to tell about them, and if they could speak, they would have stories to tell about us.”
The Gallery installation opens April 22nd at 5pm, but we encourage you to attend a meditation event at Stepne Manor, which begins at 3:30pm. It will take place along the stand of ash trees across from the Truslow Boathouse and Armory building. During the reception, dancer Sandra Kammann will perform a series short dance pieces, reacting to and with the installations.
Please join us for this intimate look and engagement with the trees.
The Standing People By Howard & Mary McCoy, Joan Maloof and Sandra Kammann
April 22 – May 20th
SANDBOX on Cross Street
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