More and more I want to move poetry off the page and into public space, especially if it can interrupt the visual environment for a moment of reflection, beauty, or reaction. I’ve been studying examples of what I’ve come to call “visual poems” as I think about how I can merge my poetry with a lifelong interest in visual art and the environment. Lately, I’m working on a project with a new friend that we hope to complete and install in July or August 2015.

‘Here Stands’ is a text-based installation for a public place with trees; a collaboration between printmaker and letterpress artist Melanie Mowinskiand myself, acting as poet and creative director.

About the project:

A stand is a contiguous area that contains a number of trees. ‘Here Stands’ is an outdoor poem and a poetic declaration: trees that stand for something.

In this large scale public work, my brief, haiku inspired texts will bring attention to the many functions of trees (emotional, spiritual, aesthetic,utilitarian), while Melanie’s handmade paper letters, assembled into chains of words, will encircle the tree trunks creating a ephemeral poemin situ.

Inspiration for this project includes the forest monks of Southeast Asia who “ordain” trees by wrapping them in orange monk’s robes and pronouncing them sacred as they endeavor to save their forests from industrial logging.

In her essay “The Ordination of a Tree: The Buddhist Ecology Movement in Thailand,” Susan M. Darlington writes  “A major aim of Buddhism is to relieve suffering, the root causes of which are greed, ignorance, and hatred. The monks see the destruction of the forests, pollution of the air and water, and other environmental problems as ultimately caused by people acting through these evils, motivated by economic gain and the material benefits of development, industrialization, and consumerism. As monks, they believe it is their duty to take action against these evils.‚”

We’re also inspired by the poetic‚”billboards‚” of Scottish artist Robert Montgomery which indict consumer capitalism and inspire new perspectives on urban space.

As artists, we use our skills and materials to invite conversation and comment on some of the challenges faced by our society and our environment, including our growing disassociation from the natural world, lack of sympathy for the role Nature plays in sustaining our quality of life, even as we lose it, and of course the increasing impacts of resource extraction on the health of the whole ecosystem.

By presenting this work, we hope to encourage reflection and conversation about the presence of trees in our landscape, as well as a greater appreciation for how they clean our air, filter our water, hold our soil in place and provide respite from the impervious surfaces and ugliness of urbanization.

We’re seeking funding to support this project. Join us forE.A.T.:Crowdfunding for Creatives on May 14th at Flywheel Arts Collective in Easthampton as we pitch the project to a live audience of potential funders. There will be food by award winning Galaxy Restaurant, beverages from Fort Hill Brewery, and the fine company of some of the most creative people currently working in the Pioneer Valley. Get in touch if you would like more information: hollywren (at) gmail (dot) com.

You may also send donations of any size to us at:

Holly Wren Spaulding

P.O. Box 187

Williamsburg, MA 01096

Memo: “Here Stands”

We are so grateful for your support!