“Unearthed” is an ongoing project by artist Pamela Sloan, who  buries paper in symbolic locations, allowing the soil erosion to transform the paper. Once removed from the soil, Pam determines whether and how to modified what remains.

Several of these images are dedicated to the environmental work of Aldo Leopold (1887-1948), and were made possible via collaborations with the Leopold Landscape Alliance in Burlington, Iowa, the Aldo Leopold Foundation in Baraboo, Wisconsin, and the Gila National Forest in New Mexico. Inspired by the profound ecological insights of pioneering environmentalist Aldo Leopold, these works explore the interconnectedness of land, soil, and life. As Leopold eloquently stated, “Land is not merely soil, it is a fountain of energy flowing through a circuit of soils, plants, and animals.”  Video of process

Recently papers were buried in historic Chicago locations that have been transformed from industrial to naturalized areas including: The Chicago Portage, Steelworkers Park, Big Marsh Park, and Westridge Park.