The Upper Peninsula has a rich history with and connection to trees, from its earliest days when forests were a vital resource, to the 19th century when logging began driving economic growth, to today’s sustainable forestry practices and recreation, with a goal of preservation for the future. From timber harvesting to maple syrup production and the pulp and paper industry, trees remain integral to the Upper Peninsula’s economy, culture, and environmental stewardship efforts.
So, when Marquettebased artist Amber Dohrenwend was planning a collaborative art installation at the Lake Effect Community Art Center in Manistique using her signature materials— post-consumer cardboard and staples—it seemed an appropriate choice to honor the importance of trees in both the past and future of the Upper Peninsula. Bending Trees of Future/ Past, on display now, is the culmination of that vision.
Having grown up in Marquette and Munising, Dohrenwend began her professional life as an educator. However, when her young family moved to Japan, she used the opportunity to explore art, partly inspired by Japan’s adventure playgrounds—open spaces where children build and create using whatever materials are available. Noticing boxes put out for recycling by her neighbors, she envisioned them as the ideal medium for creating sculptures, structures, costumes, and eventually even store window displays.
Combining her background as an educator and her newfound art, she guided children in creating with cardboard, which eventually led to requests for her to design window displays for Japanese stores. Upon her return to the Upper Peninsula during COVID-19, she began connecting with locals, and found that bike shops were eager to have their boxes, which are an ideal thickness, turned into art.
When preparing for projects involving the community, Dohrenwend cuts the boxes into strips using a band saw, bringing them to the site along with staplers and a vision, which is later influenced by participants. At Lake Effect, Dohrenwend, along with nearly 40 community members, used 35,000 staples to transform strips from about 25 bike boxes into an arched, serpentine, geometric sculpture that invites interaction and exploration. Cardboard strip spheres of varying sizes lie around the room and atop the sculpture, with hourglass- shaped tubes inviting visitors to attempt shooting baskets.
In addition to appreciating cardboard for the aesthetics, the artist values the material for its simplicity and sustainability. She explains that its impermanence and temporary nature encourages living in the moment as the artwork isn’t frozen in time and is constantly changing. Visitors are encouraged to interact with the sculpture, so even while on display the work varies, reflecting the influences of the participants. She sees her art as a commentary on humanity and connection, likening the structure upheld by staples to human connections. As Dohrenwend concludes, “We too aren’t permanent and are held up by many little connections, like the little points of the staples are holding up the structure.”
When the exhibit concludes at the end of July, the sculpture will be recycled, embodying Dohrenwend’s commitment to sustainability and her emphasis on preparing for the future while remembering the past.
