Rewilding
Scarsdale, NY
2023, Senior, Interactive & Multimedia
Climate Hero: Elise Van Middelem, SUGi Project
Project Description: This piece was a community art project, as I collaborated with many other students in my school to create it. Each student “planted” a flower onto the sculpture, and by the time the project had finished the sculpture had transitioned from a white, barren body to a polychromatic bouquet. This act of planting the flowers was symbolic of individuals sowing the seeds for a greener future, taking action to begin rewilding their community. Eventually, small individual actions like planting a seed or recycling can create something beautiful.
Rewilding
Rewilding
Reflection
This piece was inspired by the rewilding movement, a progressive approach to conservation focused on restoring healthy ecosystems by creating biodiverse, sustainable spaces. One organization that has made significant contributions to the movement is the SUGi project, founded by Elise Van Middelem. The SUGi Project focuses on creating regenerative pocket forests in urban areas, creating sustainable green spaces that support native ecosystems. The inspiration behind this sculpture comes from the concept of rewilding these gray, urban spaces. The tree stump, the alabaster head, and the flowers represent the societal evolution from wild to fallow to rewilded. The flowers and honeycomb juxtapose the sterile, bleached background, representing the indomitable strength of nature.