COD visiting artist, environmentalist to focus on the prairie
Environmental activist, naturalist, wild forager and interdisciplinary artist Jenny Kendler teams up with College of DuPage faculty and staff this month to present activities centered on the Glen Ellyn college's Russel R. Kirt Prairie, which are focused on climate change and environmental responsibility.
All activities are free, open to the public and begin in the College 4 parking lot, unless noted, on campus, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Her visit is part of the college's Visiting Artist Series, which provides opportunities for the community to interact with leaders in the fields of contemporary art, design and culture.
The three-day residency begins with a prairie burn and dispersal of milkweed seeds from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19. Joined by COD faculty members Mara Baker and David Ouellette and prairie manager Remic Ensweiler, participants will see how a managed burn benefits the prairie ecosystem.
Kendler discusses her work as an environmentally engaged artist and artist-in-residence with the nonprofit NRDC at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 20, in the McAninch Arts Center, Room 205.
Following the talk, Kendler and Ensweiler will lead a walk through the college's restored prairie areas, discussing native and nonnative plants.
The residency concludes with an artwork installation in the prairie at 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21, as Kendler and students create an "underground library," burying outdated books on climate change.
The books are turned to biochar during a "book burning," but become functional again, sequestering carbon and enriching the prairie's soil for decades to come. Students will assist in siting and burying the books, then scattering seeds to regenerate the prairie.
Kendler's visit is the first in the Visiting Artist Series. Future events include a lectures by graphic designer Renata Graw on Wednesday, Oct. 18; interdisciplinary artist Alison Ruttan on Wednesday, Nov. 14; builder Faheem Majeed on Feb. 13; sculptor and writer Marissa Lee Benedict on March 22; and art historian Giovanni Aloi on April 18.
For information, call (630) 942-2321.