Unwinding the Anthropocene, 2025

Unwinding the Anthropocene #1: Knowledge, 2025
Accoya sustainable pine, glue
48 × 22.5 × 15 in

Inspired by grand architectural buildings, these sculptures provide a functional habitat for the chestnut-backed chickadee, a species in decline in Emeryville.

Grand architecture is a way that humans cultivate spaces to evoke reverence, house knowledge, and foster community. By creating architectural spaces for our avian counterparts, the works signal an elevated stature for the species—one from which we can learn, and which is deserving of our respect, reverence, and even awe. At the same time, the series acknowledges the damage we have inflicted on the planet, and the urgent responsibility we bear to protect and restore the natural world.

The sculptures are constructed using environmentally friendly materials, including Accoya, a fast-growing pine treated with heat and pressure to achieve durability. This allows it to withstand exterior conditions without the need for paint or sealant. Inside, each piece contains a smaller nesting box for the chestnut-backed chickadee, built according to plans from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.