In the Dense Words

Installation view of Into Dense Woods

Detail of the textured top surface 'trees'

Detail of cut books

Detail of seat

  • Location: The Faxon Company office building, Norwood, MA (1988)
  • Client: The Faxon Company, Inc.
  • Size: 5 pieces from 105″ x 48 ” x 48″ to 30″ x 24″ x 24″
  • Materials: 5,000 laminated books
  • Budget: $21,000
  • Artist: Mags Harries
  • Photo Credits: Kathy Chapman

A Forest for a paper company

The Faxon Company, Inc., was an international book brokerage that supplied mostly libraries. This public art installation both defines the space of the Faxon Company’s green house-like lounge area and provocatively deals with issues of environmentalism and learning.

Trees & Books

The five freestanding pieces are constructed from books and periodicals that have been laminated together and then shaped into tree forms with a chain saw.

The installation evokes a multiplicity of images and thoughts both sad and humorous, telling of abandoned book, destroyed forests, as well as recycling and rejuvenation.

Polaroid composite of the project