2002-3
Senior Thesis outdoor work
A series of 6 tree sculptures were installed on the Amherst College campus as a part of my Senior Thesis Exhibition: Sculpture of the Climb.
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/6dc6dcf4701045954cd660a3a59e60c39b35bfc149bae154bab21d1ae5471479/PeriscopeTree.jpg)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/8bc2ab4d7adb1098d73d300a961ec3a694d3fe7692a2201ecab4856b622e3e60/YellowRopeTree.jpg)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/11250455bb5ca03141ac6d2ec18e3edeeddb0c1e39be9b81a186d67847d22a4a/3StepPeriscope.jpg)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/a964d70a9fb007aea350427208ce3e65d678a61173a154705f412e9484d46455/FocalPoints.jpg)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c28e891a21fbcb7f0a9d8dbdc67e05ed38fef3e273cf28516264627b03d5784e/SnowSpiral.jpg)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/8f91c646e5e76e8be2984fc0ee3ffee14188a3d7a55011cb5b163265f7fb9ae7/BrokenLadder.jpg)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/e470328c96e3f4a4c48b3cf1a9a51e4ccc62587f1bf6655f1277d93fcd77cc80/Rope.jpg)
1. Periscope Tree - two mirrors were installed in a hollow tree and a focal ring was positioned to draw the attention of passersby. The view into the ring was the view out of the tree from 14 feet up.
2. Yellow Rope Tree - A length of nylon yellow rope was used to wrap each limb used in a tree climb. The result is a mapping of the path and helpful aide in those who may climb the tree.
3. 3 Step Pericope - these periscopes provide 3 levels of view from up in the tree for those on the ground.
4. Focal Points - from the ground, these tubes focus the viewer's gaze to 6 different points along a tree-climbing path.
5. Snow Spiral - snow was piled and carved into a walkable snow spiral to gave access to the lowest limb making climbable a canopy that was otherwise unreachable.
6. Broken Rope Ladder - A tree fort with a broken rope ladder creates the desire to access the tree but eliminates the entry. The hope is to inspire a curiosity that would force the person to climb the tree instead to gain entry.
7. Rope Climb - the climbing rope cuts off 10 feet from the ground making it just out of reach. Again, the hope was to create the desire to climb instead.