Client: Designers And Forests

Location: Various, Utah, United States

Completion date: 2014

Project Team

Artist

Jason Dilworth

Artist

Megan Urban

State University of New York

Other

Daniel Byström

Design Nation

Other

Victor Strandgren

Tråcentrüm

Other

Fredrick Carlsson

Other

Niclas Karlsson

Other

Elisabet Tångring

Other

Jason Brown

Overview

Beetle Kill and Aspen Die-Off is the inaugural project of the larger Designers and Forest collaborative. This design venture was prompted by the pine, spruce, and aspen that are stressed and endangered as a consequence of changing conditions in the Intermountain West.

Goals

The overall goal of this project is to help revitalize forests and foster healthier communities by taking a holistic view of both natural ecosystems and the design process. Specifically, this project links designers from Sweden and New York with foresters, activists, designers, artisans, and community members in Utah.

Process

In the summer of 2013, members of Designers and Forests met in the forests of Utah to explore and experience the region and familiarize ourselves with the area’s problems dialogue that allows experts to share unique knowledge and perspectives across disciplines and borders with the intention of finding new ways of looking at the problems of stressed forests.