About this piece:

Part of an ongoing series Endangered Volume III uses pressed aspen leaves and an aspen branch gathered during the fall color change. It also includes a brief text about the fate of a particular clonal colony – Pando. Until very recently, Pando was thought to be the most massive living organism on earth; it now is believed to be the second largest. At around 80,000 years old, it is certainly one of the oldest. The specimens in this book aren’t from Pando, but rather from two other groves in the San Juan mountains that I’ve been regularly since the mid-70’s. My favorite groves are changing as well.

Materials:

paper, litho ink, aspen leaves, mica, tyvek, thread, epoxy casting resin, cast acrylic, book cloth, book board, walnut ink

Text:

The trembling giant on Colorado Plateau is dying. Emphasis on power and material gain equals a disregard for the majesties of nature. We fear material losses so predators are banished and wildfires suppressed. Ranchers, cattle and deer thrive. An 80,000 year old organism dies.