Developed as part of my graduate work at Portland State University (PSU), "TREESEARCH" is a site-responsive movement class held at the copper beech tree on campus, a 130-year-old heritage tree. This project emphasizes our connection to the land and highlights the importance of community engagement through art, especially in light of current political climates.

On October 18, 2023, just days after escalations in Gaza, we held a two-hour durational performance at the tree's base, coinciding with a student occupation advocating for a ceasefire. This act of collaborative art-making served as a reminder of our interconnectedness, not only with each other but also with the natural world, reinforcing the notion that trees and plants are vital companions in our exploration of resilience and wonder.

Now archived in PSU's special collections, "TREESEARCH" documents contemporary cultural and artistic interactions with the copper beech tree, enriching its historical and social narrative. This inclusion underscores the tree's enduring significance as a source of inspiration and a testament to community life, ensuring future generations appreciate its role in both natural and cultural heritage.

Part of Movement As Art & Research Practice

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Archivist: Carolee Harrison, Special Collections and Conservation Technician at Portland State University Library

Video by Luz Blumenfeld-Honea, Hannah Skutt, Gilian Rappaport

Poster by Kyle Wolter

Thank you to Carolee Harrison, Taravat Telepasand, Scott Nieradka, Interim Dean Michael Bowman, Laura Glazer, Michelle Illuminato, Luz Blumenfeld-Honea, Hannah Skutt, Jarrel Navarro, Jazz Lawrence, Kyle Wolter, Mariya Chmykh, Pawel Bednarski, Rebecca Rasmussen, SadieLee Crume, Solas Wall-Johnson, Summer Newlands, and the staff of Portland State University Library and Archives