Beth Moon
Olive Press
2022

About the Item

In 2015 I visited many ancient olive groves in Italy. The Province of Lecce is known for having the oldest trees. The groves, only accessible by stone paths or mule tracks, give a sense of the past. Here the landscape speaks in the language of origins: remnants of a crumbling stone wall suggest absence while the landscape beyond can be seen through holes of a hollowed trunk, creating a dramatic presence. It is easy to spot the oldest trees; some have vacuous trunks as large as caves displaying protuberances and ripples that ancient trees accumulate with time. Expressive in form, the trees stretch out in wild and weirdly contorted shapes. Many have lived over a thousand years, still bearing fruit in great age. But unknown to farmers, meadow spittlebugs were quickly multiplying. These small insects carry a host of tiny particles, an invisible army identified as Xylella fastidious, infecting each tree they feed on. By the end of the year, it is reported over one million olive trees in the Salento Peninsula are infected. Many groves are ravaged. Some trees looked burnt with brown leaves and dead branches. In an attempt to contain the virus from spreading into Northern Europe, farmers are ordered by the government to cut down their heritage trees, resulting in economic catastrophe and heartbreak. Seven years later, I take out the olive tree pictures. In an attempt to gain control over the uncontrollable, I choose one of the images and make a test print on whisper-thin Japanese paper. It is a simple gesture, an attempt to reclaim agency. The paper is very fragile. I paint adhesive on the back and apply sheets of silver leaf. I look at the print. As light falls on the tree, a heavenly silver glow shows through the highlights. A hero, god or king? I can’t decide which.

Creator:
Beth Moon (1955, American)
Creation Year:
2022
Dimensions:
Height: 8 in (20.32 cm)Width: 10 in (25.4 cm)
Medium:
Mixed Media,Archival Pigment
Movement & Style:
Contemporary
Period:
21st Century
Framing:
Framing Options Available
Condition:
Gallery Location:
Sante Fe, NM
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU134211463122
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