So What?

In spring 2007, the landscape architecture design team at AHBE embarked on a project to explore the concept of sustainability through art installations.

The primary material used for the artwork was six weeks’ worth of discarded paper waste, including drawings, specifications, and correspondence, which were commercially shredded. The team arranged these paper “shreddings” onto wire mesh towers that mimicked the form of trees. The resulting towers were exhibited in a local gallery space as a reconstructed forest, making a provocative statement about the nature of sustainability.

The project aimed to raise awareness about the impact of paper waste on the environment and to promote sustainable practices. The installation process was documented in this award-winning seven-minute short film that shows the entire process from concept development to implementation, deconstruction, and eventual return to its natural form. The installation – and this subsequent documentary – was a powerful statement that creatively conveyed the message of sustainability to the public.

The paper trail continued even after the exhibition. The shredded paper was reintegrated into the landscape, thus reducing its impact on the environment. The project demonstrated how discarded materials can be transformed into meaningful art while promoting sustainable practices. It showcased the power of creative thinking in promoting social and environmental awareness.

Creative, innovative, surprising and unexpected! An incredible message that speaks beautifully to designers and the public about an important issue.
ASLA 2008 Awards Jury

2007
Short
U.S.A.
English
7 minutes
Evan Mather

Winner: ASLA 2008 Professional Awards: Honor Award, Communications.