Processing Collapse in Woodstock

Processing Collapse is a public art project about tree extinction, created by artists Michael Asbill and Ripley Butterfield. Through this socially engaged initiative, the artists will open their research process to the public as they develop a formal proposal for a permanent artwork at the new Woodstock Library.

For the duration of the project, the YES Gallery will serve as a dynamic research hub. Its walls will become a living mind map, documenting the evolution of ideas as Asbill and Butterfield explore the environmental, cultural, and emotional dimensions of tree loss. Over time, the space will shift from an open research zone into a working design studio, where the artists begin shaping their vision into tangible form.

Asbill and Butterfield will be on-site during the exhibition, inviting visitors into conversation and collaboration. Their goal is to transform remnants of collapsing tree species into permanent sculptures—enduring elements within a vibrant public space. These sculptural works will honor both the disappearance of local trees and the larger ecological toll of human activity on the Catskills forests.

Each iteration of Processing Collapse is tailored to the unique identity and needs of the host library. As the Woodstock Library undergoes a major transformation, it presents an ideal moment for a site-specific intervention rooted in memory, loss, and renewal. The artists hope to gather stories from library patrons—especially reflections on the old building—to help inform their proposal and ground it in community memory.

Public engagement hours: Thursdays, 2–5 PM