Tide Tied

Carmella Gullo

I am an artist, living now in Red Hook for seventeen years. A water level mark of 56 inches still faintly stains the stairwell wall leading up to my studio from hurricane Sandy. The project I would like to propose, will happen in Coffey Park, where I, along with the creative assistance of Red Hook non-profit youth groups, I worked with in the past, shall wrap a colorful band of material 56 inches from the ground around every tree. Although everywhere in Red Hook, the water rise from Sandy varied, 56 inches marks the height in my stairwell, making this project community and personal. Every tree will be wrapped uniquely, but at the same level to the ground. People viewing, I believe can easily call to mind the water level from Sandy, awareness to climate change. This site-specific art first insights awareness, and climate change is a real future problem that needs creative, educated problem solving especially in Red Hook. Trees not only beautify a city, but can be a strategically planted ecotechnology, part of a living, versatile, valuable environmental infrastructure that cools the urban heat, absorbs excess water, cleans water and air, acts as a natural mood elevation that reduces anxiety and depression, improves property value, mitigates noise, provides wildlife and recreation. Therefore, as a reminder of a continual discussion on climate change, along with this project, at least one strategically placed tree will be planted somewhere along the Red Hook shoreline. Hopefully, the emphasis of each tree uniquely and colorfully tied, 56 inches from the ground will be aesthetically pleasing, incite wonder, recall the reminder of climate change and sea level rise, while persevering as a community without fear, educating, and continuing an ongoing dialogue about climate change.