Earth Day- Windows

It is Earth Day! Reflecting on a childhood memory, I thought it was a good time to share more about my etched window project.

Earth Day Trees

As a kid, on Earth Day we would carry little pine saplings home from school and plant them along the border of my parent’s property and the field to the north. My father planted some more hardy saplings in there to fill the gaps of out sad little trees and it made me happy to see these trees grow so big and full.

“Earth Day”

The view past these trees to the old farmhouse across the field was the subject for etched window #3. This is where my grandfather grew up, and my mother spent her early childhood. My parents held this window for me as I took a photo through the window of this view that inspired me and they continue to hold onto this window for me.

What’s with the windows?

I started this project in 2014 after returning from Myanmar, our first home outside America. The idea was to do something reconnecting with my roots since most of the work I have made since 2011 is inspired by the countries we live in. Window #1 merged the view of silo from the rural area where I grew up with the city view through our temporary apartment in Washington D.C.

“The Road Home”

These windows came from my late grandfather’s barn and each time I return for a visit, I etch one more window. I realized that just driving the road from the highway to my parent’s home filled my heart and this became the subject for window #2. “Home” is a tricky word for me these day. Though this area and my family have a special place in my heart, the places we live, like here in Tokyo, are home. Home is just changing and expanding.

“Langenderfer Farms”

For Window #4 I wanted to do the view across the field from my grandmother’s lawn. Only after I started sketching did I learn from her that the farm in the distance was the original Langenderfer Farm. She proudly told me they brought the bricks all the way from Germany. My parents helped move this window with her when she had to spend her last few months in an assisted living. It meant a lot to me that she got to keep her view across the field.

"The Willow Tree"

In window #5 I captured a favorite childhood meeting spot behind the graveyard and local catholic church. My friend and I would try to translate the old German gravestones, swing on the willow branches, and set up a little picnic. This same parish is where my parents were married, I was baptized as a baby, and my grandparents now rest.

Another 10-15 Years

This is a very personal art project and I love layering my own memories with how the area has changed in windows that could have become more waste in a landfill. I have a few more windows to etch, so it will take several more years to complete this project. I compiled a quick process video when I etched the last one: IG reel