Processing Collapse is a public art project about extinction made for public libraries by artists Michael Asbill and Ripley Butterfield. Their installation Lodged is located at the Hudson Valley Seed Company's location at 11 Airport Road, Accord, NY 12404. Spoons, pallets and other handcrafted Ashwood sculptural objects will be available for sale at the HVSC store, with all proceeds supporting the Processing Collapse projects in public libraries.
More about the project from the artists:
The current research focus is on the regional collapse of the North American Ash forest due to the introduction of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). Publicly processing this shared loss from our ecosystem is a way to notice, acknowledge, and explore the historical and ecological significance of a threatened tree.
The work uses the precious remains of fallen ash trees to produce permanent artworks for regional public libraries. Libraries are the right spaces for this work because they are widely trusted and preserve what is locally relevant. Our goal is to reveal connections between the ash tree and the distinct histories and interests of each community. We identify ways to present ash as sculpture that will matter for all kinds of people.
The radius for this project is modeled on a state ban, implemented in an effort to slow the spread of EAB, that prohibits the movement of firewood more than 50 miles from where a tree is felled. A 50-mile circle was drawn around the studio in Accord, New York where the research for this project began. Within this area, we identified 135 public libraries operating in 17 counties, in 5 states, and 9 library systems.
Hudson Valley Seed Company is proud to champion the Processing Collapse project by showcasing the sculpture Lodged at our farm. Please visit our shop where we have beautiful, one-of-a-kind hand-made objects crafted from local fallen ash trees. Funds from sales will directly support this project. Please consider supporting this remarkable project with a purchase or donation. Learn more about Processing Collapse at their website or by following @processingcollapse on Instagram.