The Haunting, Beautiful "Unchopping a Tree" Video You Must See

The latest work from Maya Lin is a green call to action. Also see 11 powerful environmental messages.

December 16, 2009 at 3:27PM by Brian Clark Howard | comment

Maya Lin - Unchop A Tree from Unchop A Tree on Vimeo.

World renown American artist and architect Maya Lin -- designer of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington -- is in Copenhagen today with the What is Missing? campaign. As part of this memorial she has unveiled a stunning multimedia piece called Unchopping A Tree.

The slow-burning, reflective piece features ethereal music by Brian Eno. "If deforestation were happening in your city, how quickly would you work to stop it?" the video asks, pointing out that 90 acres of rainforest are destroyed every minute. Deforestation threatens half of the world's species, and is responsible for 20% of global warming emissions.

We can reduce emissions and protect species. "Together we can save two birds with one tree," the piece argues.

Lin debuted the work at the Support REDD+ Gala, which supports the UN program that aims to give developing nations financial incentive to keep their forests standing. Under the What is Missing Foundation?, Maya will be awarding six grants to organizations and projects, including Carbonfund.org and Bonobo Conservation Initiative, that show that REDD+ can be and is successful.

Lin is no stranger to environmental work. She recently completed a restorative "wave field" at New York's Storm King Art Center. This year she completed "Silver River," her first work of art in Las Vegas, an 84-foot cast of the Colorado River made entirely of reclaimed silver. With the sculpture, Lin wanted to make a statement about water conservation in parched Nevada.

Friend us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter
Follow Brian Clark Howard on Twitter

comment