A Night in the Forest, 2013

This immersive installation simulated the sights, sounds, and smells of a night time forest. Overhead lights of a small, enclosed gallery were obscured, and tree branches, suspended from the ceiling  and rustling with a hidden fan, cast shadows on the walls. Stars seemed to shine through the branches, and honeysuckle boughs contributed to the canopy and lent a sweet fragrance to the environment. A looped soundtrack of summer night sounds, including frogs, crickets, birds, and wind played from hidden speakers overhead. A tent with a mattress and a camping chair were set up, and visitors were invited to sit or lie down and enjoy the sensory experience. A Night in the Forest  was presented at Southern Illinois University as part of Home: Between Two Rivers, a culminating exhibit for an interdisciplinary class about art and the environment.