Redream the Forest: Memoire for a Lost Forest
An Interactive Virtual Installation
Scroll left for six frames of slideshows documenting the forest. Story below.
Redream the Forest: Memoire for a Lost Forest
For Project 3: Memory, Trace, Forgetting and the Archive
This project of six panels was created for Prof. Susan Jahoda’s Photo I Class, for Project 3, “Memory, Trace, Forgetting and the Archive.” We were to choose a subject that no longer exists, where only photographs remain to document the subject. I chose a beloved part of the state forest in the town where I live, that was logged. I started this project on February 25, 2020. I originally conceived this project as a video installation in the green room at the Umass Media Lab. When Covid 19 closed the campus, I converted this project into a web page.
In 2017, for the first time in many years, logging was planned in Wendell State Forest. A few of us received a tour of the logging site, during which a colleague noticed that there were ancient Indigenous stone structures in the logging area. I learned more about these features from Tribal Historic Preservation Officers from the Narragansett, and the Wampanoag of Gayhead Aquinnah Tribes who came to view and certify these sites. I joined Wendell Historic Commission to try to protect this complex of Ceremonial Stone Landscapes (CSLs). I researched, and found that the law, and DCR’s policies, required this ancient complex to be excluded from the logging area, and reserved as a “Zone 1 Significant Feature Overlay.” We became the second town in Massachusetts to sign an agreement with four Federally recognized Tribes of New England for protection of Indigenous Cultural Resources. I spent many hours in this forest working with a local expert to document and map this complex, and tour experts through it.
Over 2000 people opposed the logging of this forest which belongs to the people of the Commonwealth. Non-violent Direct Action was used after all attempts to uphold the law failed. DCR logged for two months, violating multiple laws, stated policies and procedures, from August 5th of 2019, until early October. Protesters were there every day the loggers were there logging.
For me this experience is still painful. This is my attempt to create a personal memoir. I still wrestle with the devastation of this magical place. To me the forest was family. It was difficult to watch the protestor video as I edited it. The harsh sounds of the soundtrack filled my life every day for two months. In my normal life, the sweet sounds of nature, and my artistic work populate happier days.
Sincerely,
~Lisa Hoag
Gratitude and Credits:
“Virtual Forest Walk” 3D Interactive Digital Model, Yuntian Hu; source photos, Lisa Hoag;
“Logging Protests in Wendell State Forest Summer 2019” Video: Forwarder and protestors footage, Leone Alaniz; Arrests and protestors at gate, Bart Bouricius; Wendell State Forest Drone footage, Jamie Malcolm-Brown; video editing, Lisa Hoag. All other photography and video editing, Lisa Hoag