How To Make A Tree Disappear As Nature Intended I (2015)

4.25m x 0.6m x 1.55m

Vitrine, Substation banyan tree root, powderpost beetles, powder

The artist salvaged this long root from the Substation Banyan tree that was taken away to be transplanted. The inside of this branch is slowly being eaten by the larva of powderpost beetles, which spend months or years inside reducing the wood to fine powder. Their presence is only apparent when they emerge as adults, leaving behind pinhole-sized openings, often called "shot holes". If conditions are right, female beetles may lay their eggs and re-infest the wood, continuing the cycle for generations, and reducing the wood to a pile of dust.

 

Detail of 'shothole' by powderpost beetles, How To Make A Tree Disappear As Nature Intended I (2015)

Detail of 'powder' in vitrine falling from branch by powderpost beetles, How To Make A Tree Disappear As Nature Intended I (2015)

 

 

 

How To Make A Tree Disappear As Nature Intended II (2015)

2mx2mx1.55m

Vitrine, 150kg of sawdust from the Substation Malayan Banyan tree.

The artist spent nine months sanding down each piece of trunk manually with sand paper. This pile of sawdust came from 200kg of wood.

 

The artist sanding down the trunks for How To Make A Tree Disappear As Nature Intended II (2015)