d.Tree

The d.Tree Studio is a collaboration between the Charles H.Wright Museum of African American History (the Wright Museum) and College for Creative Studies (CCS), co-founded by the Wright’s Chief Sustainability Officer Leslie Tom, and the CCS Dean of Graduate Studies, Ian Lambert, who also taught the class.

Footage provided by the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History & Ackeem Salmon

The studio used wood harvested from dying Zelkova trees from the Wright Museum to explore the interconnection between object making, belonging and storytelling in African American History and various African material cultures. An urban tree’s place, location, and role as a cultural landmark can be embodied in the artifacts it becomes. Under the storytelling direction of the Wright Museum, students engaged in socio-cultural themes that informed the design and making of objects that embody sensitive and relevant narratives aligned to various African American heritages and contemporary experiences.

Team
Kelsey Bailey (Illustration), Francis Bazil (Product Design), Jasmine Brown (GS-CMD), Olivia Holt (Product Design), Faith Serio (Illustration)

 

Conceptual ArtWoodworkingColor Design

In 2018, The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History noticed dead and dying Zelkova trees on their campus. In 2019, as part of its mission to be a zero waste institution, the museum formed a collaboration with the College for Creative Studies to use the timber harvested in a creative endeavor, questioning how can two neighbors, a museum and an art school, set a precedent for climate justice art.

“Looking at our waste streams and natural resources through an African American art and history lens is important to all of humanity. We hope to forge new examples of collaborating with Detroiters and with our actual neighbors, to the North, the College for Creative Studies.”

A teacher and student examining a large piece of wood
A student leaning on a table making a measurement
A structure holding thin slices of wood dangling on a line of thin wire
A student sanding down a long piece of wood
A student working at a table
Three cuts of tree branches standing upright on a table
A student holding and examining a piece of wood
A student working on lathe. They are wearing a mask and goggles
A student and teacher examining a pile of large branches. The student is holding one in her hands

“CCS is very excited to be collaborating with the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History on the d.Tree Studio. Social justice and global heating are two of the most pressing issues of our time, and creative practice can provide a powerful narrative in driving change. This is going to be an amazing project!”