« back to Article

Visiondivision's Chop Stick celebrates the raw materials that make our built world

Chop Stick in the evening, where one can swing while enjoying a drink. Photo courtesy if IMA.

On opening day, Ulf and Anders of Visiondivision handed out ice cream. Courtesy IMA.

The large swing is fun for children and grown-ups alike. Courtesy VIMA.

The swings were made from chunks of wood cut out and 'dropped' from the main trunk, visible here.

The selected tulip poplar tree was located in a stand of trees sold as timber outside Lapel, Indiana. A crane supported the top of the tree as the loggers rigged the bottom. Courtesy Visiondivision.

Once cut, the tree swings freely from the crane, and was then lowered onto a truck dolly for transport to the IMA. Courtesy Visiondivision.

The tree enjoyed a police escort as it made the 30 mile journey to the Museum. Courtesy Visiondivision.

The tree was harvested and de-barked in late spring, when its sap was so wet that the bark, once scored, slides off like a peel. The bark was cut, stacked, and air-dried to make the shingles that now cover the concession stand kiosk. Courtesy Visiondivision.

A diagram of the elevations of the tree. Courtesy Visiondivision.

Once cut, the tree swings freely from the crane, and was then lowered onto a truck dolly for transport to the IMA. Courtesy Visiondivision.

Once cut, the tree swings freely from the crane, and was then lowered onto a truck dolly for transport to the IMA. Courtesy Visiondivision.