Condemned II by Richard Goulis

Insider's Tip: Not only is AS220 a great arts organization, but they also have the best takeout grub in town. Order ahead and pick it up as you pass by!

Location: Broadway Ave. x Empire St.

“I grew these two trees in my backyard in Providence, RI over the last 12 years. They were planted about 6 feet apart initially and when they grew to about 4 feet each, I began bending their branches together, tying them with bits of velcro and string. Each spring and summer for twelve years I did this until they grew to over 12 feet with their branches entwined in graceful embraces. When I felt it was time, I bound their leaves with wire, and coated the entire surface, leaves and all with a thick coat of polymer resin. When the coating had cured, I finally cut the two trees at ground level and built stands that serve to make the two trees transportable and able to remain in their original configuration. For me, this piece is about our relationship with our environment and how we treat it every day. I nurtured these trees for more than a decade and then cut them down and turned them into art. It was a difficult thing to do because I loved the process of training them into position each year and seeing them grow. I felt a little sad at first but I realized that the power did not diminish when I cut them. They transformed, helping me to create a powerful statement about how we control our environment sometimes at the detriment to ourselves.” -Richard Goulis

Material: Steel, Trees, Resin, Wire

Artist IG: @richard_goulis

~TAKE A CLOSER LOOK~

What is this sculpture made of?

How does it look like it was made? (The artist actually trained two real trees to grow together in his yard and then cut them!)

How long do you think it would take to grow and weave two trees together like this? (about 12 years!)

What does the sculpture remind you of or make you think of? Does it look a little like legs? What kind of animal has legs like that?

If this sculpture was from another world, where would it live?

What are some other ways that natural things like trees can become parts of art?

The artist added a layer to this installation. What element do you think he brought in and what does is say to you? (the steel box is a new addition as of November 2020).