ASL
About the artists
Sachiko, A1 and A2 (and Josh!) were my neighbours several years ago. When they moved to China for a few years, I enjoyed following their experiments (usually surrounding art/nature) via social media. I really appreciate the way they move through the world with curiosity, joy and understanding. When we first met up in July to talk about the project to see if they might like to be involved, I proposed we meet at their favourite tree. A1 and A2 led us on an awesome tour of 10+ of their favourite trees, and we shared many stories along the way.
On that first walk, the poplar trees had released their seeds. Noticing the big floating wads of cotton, A1 wondered if it could be turned into paper. We harvested a bag of the fluff and Sachiko, A1 and A2 worked over the coming weeks to create the paper (mixed with egg cartons) art on display today. We met again in early August and each wore a wireless mic as we repeated the ‘favourite tree walking tour’ - the stories you hear are edited snapshots from that walk. Unfortunately, there were some issues with the microphones, so please read Sachiko's letter and the transcripts to learn what didn’t make it through the audio wires.
On that first walk, the poplar trees had released their seeds. Noticing the big floating wads of cotton, A1 wondered if it could be turned into paper. We harvested a bag of the fluff and Sachiko, A1 and A2 worked over the coming weeks to create the paper (mixed with egg cartons) art on display today. We met again in early August and each wore a wireless mic as we repeated the ‘favourite tree walking tour’ - the stories you hear are edited snapshots from that walk. Unfortunately, there were some issues with the microphones, so please read Sachiko's letter and the transcripts to learn what didn’t make it through the audio wires.
The internet has become a weird place, and these stories: "Favourite Trees, Poplar Paper, Totoro" are shared by some kids who are not on it yet! Come check out the exhibit in person to hear/see their wisdom. :) All transcripts are printed in the notebook.
Letter from Sachiko
I moved to Ottawa when I was eight months pregnant with my first child. She discovered the world in tandem with me discovering Ottawa, a city that is worlds away from the teeming metropolis of Tokyo. For the first time in my life, I was experiencing the four seasons the way it looks like in children’s books.
As she grew older and more mobile, I felt more compelled to understand the nature around me. I wanted to be able to tell her the names of the plants and bugs, what she could touch, and then all of the sudden, what she could or couldn't put into her mouth – even more so after I had my second child and out in nature felt like the safest place to be during the pandemic.
Every city or country we visit, my kids look for plants and creatures they know, and then the unfamiliar. They ask, is it edible? Is it safe to touch? The yeses unlock new possibilities for them. When we made the paper out of poplar seed fluff, I made a rabbit because I will always remember the feeling of wonder when I first spotted one outside in Ottawa. That feeling lets me access how my children must feel, going through the world.
As she grew older and more mobile, I felt more compelled to understand the nature around me. I wanted to be able to tell her the names of the plants and bugs, what she could touch, and then all of the sudden, what she could or couldn't put into her mouth – even more so after I had my second child and out in nature felt like the safest place to be during the pandemic.
Every city or country we visit, my kids look for plants and creatures they know, and then the unfamiliar. They ask, is it edible? Is it safe to touch? The yeses unlock new possibilities for them. When we made the paper out of poplar seed fluff, I made a rabbit because I will always remember the feeling of wonder when I first spotted one outside in Ottawa. That feeling lets me access how my children must feel, going through the world.
About the sculpture
After harvesting the poplar seed fluff together on our walk, A1, A2 and Sachiko turned it into the paper shapes displayed here. A2 made the cupid's bow heart, A1 the middle heart, and Sachiko the cottontail. A1 thought it would be cool if they were displayed in suspension, but as they are fragile, we wanted them to be protected. I found the shadow box on the side of the road, and the shelf popped up on my Facebook Marketplace! I searched for the most Totoro-friendly stump with roots, and Ella and I made the little Totoro.
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Special thanks to...
Sachiko, A1, A2, Ella