Vermont, USA
Thomas J. Watson Fellowship
The Thomas J. Watson Fellowship is a one-year grant for purposeful, independent exploration outside the United States, awarded to graduating seniors nominated by one of 41 partner institutions.
Fellows conceive original projects, execute them outside of the United States for one year and embrace the ensuing journey. They decide where to go, who to meet and when to change course. They do not affiliate with academic institutions and may not hold formal employment.
The Project
The northeastern United States is a borderland of multiple intersecting geologic, climatic and ecological regions. As a result, a diverse body of natural materials, biotic and abiotic, constitute the vibrant traditional, historical and contemporary resource economy and building culture. In the coming century, the region is projected to change at an accelerated rate. Shifts in mean temperature, humidity, severity and frequency of rainfall events, duration of freeze-free periods per year, will displace current distributions of plant species, pressured by increased pestilence, and open room for emigrating, primarily southern-originating, species. The region will thus become a home for climate migrants of many sorts. As new human populations flock seeking refuge, environmental conservation of natural resources and rural and urban development will need to be maintained simultaneously. From where, then, will this development be sourced? By traveling to regions of the world with climates expected of the northeastern United States in the coming century, and working alongside traditional building craftspeople deeply embedded in the material origins and processes of their work, I sought to recover the materials and methods relevant to the changing ecological conditions of my home. It is my hope that, by listening to these traditional sources, practicing and refining a crafted touch on the land, I will be able to offer an approach to the question rooted in place , in my time, and most important, by hand. This is how I understand the essential directive of my future work as a craftsman.
Loughadoon, Ireland
Abruka, Estonia
Kjerringøy, Norway
Keihoku, Kyoto, Japan
Kanayama, Gifu, Japan
Misumi, Shimane, Japan
Miki, Hyogo, Japan
Kamimomi, Okayama, Japan
Q 1 : At what scale does rural development take place?
Q 2 : With what resources?
Q 3 : By whom?
State.
Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife. The Trust for Public Land. The Vermont Land Trust. Vermont Natural Resources Council. [...]
Valley.
Ward Clapboard Mill. Yestermorrow Design Build School. Lareau Farm and Forest. Friends of the Mad River. Inn at the Round Barn. Mehuron's Market. MRV Planning District. [...]
Corner.
Alpenglow Farm. East Warren Community Market. Kathan's Briar Patch Farm. DeFreest Farms. Taplin Sawmill. [...]
Ground.
Sugar maple. White ash. White oak. Shagbark hickory. Hop hornbeam. Eastern hemlock. American beech. Paper birch. Eastern white pine. Red spruce. Black cherry. [...]
Water. Slate. Schist. Wool. Straw. Clay. Sand. [...]
Earth. Stone. Fiber. Wood.
Hand.
Trained to use the most of what is available. To honor tradition and forgo fashion. To practice, practice [...] sustain the energy and humility to continue practicing [...]
A craftsperson, dedicated to a particular place, seeking the knowledge and skill to prepare it for an altered future.
Clark O'Bryan
East Warren, Vermont, USA Mitsushitori, Okayama, Japan
clarkobryan.com clarkobryan@gmail.com +1 802 989 9608