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Panels of expanding foam applied between plastic lath and burlap were made and
then assembled in groups of 3.
These were, in turn, coated with a mixture of potting soil and glue.
Panels were attached to a PVC framework with zip ties. The "seams" at the corners were trimmed, sewn together, then mudded with the glue/potting soil mixture. The whole 5-sided box was then skimmed with more coats of the soil/glue concoction to give it an even, organic appearance. The 6th side was left off for attaching the top section - with the tree and metal armature which would bear the lifting force and from which the dirt cube would hang.
The top panel was prepared like the others working around the roots.
The bolts securing the trunk to the metal framework were plastered over
and fauxed to match the trunk.
The top and the cube were assembled and the seams mudded on-site
in the museum while suspended.
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