Furrow: Seed Engraving Project

Join local artist-miniaturist Sergey Jivetin for a presentation of his seed-engraving project, titled Furrow. Sergey will be hand-engraving seeds with illustrations based on narratives about plants and their deep connection with farmers, seed savers, naturalists and enthusiast gardeners who nurture and preserve them. If you would like to share your personal story of such a relationship between plants and people, bring a relevant seed and Sergey will illustrate your individual story into it.

Sergey Jivetin is an artist-miniaturist living in the Hudson Valley and working with seeds as a conceptual and physical medium. With an extensive background in metalsmithing, jewelry design and engineering, Jivetin uses the skill set of a master craftsman to transform ordinary materials into potent conveyors of meaning. His practice introduces miniature elements into unexpected settings to examine humanity's convoluted relationship with nature. The disappearance of Aral Sea in Uzbekistan, one of the greatest ecological disasters of the 20th century, heightened Jivetin's sensitivity to the preciousness of natural resources and their management.

After the lecture, Sergey will create a limited number of customized seed engravings for people who would like to bring sentimental seeds and share a relevant story. For this first-come, first-serve program, you must sign up in advance for your 45-minute time-slot by e-mailing us at jennifer@mtarboretum.org. Guests of the lecture are more than welcome to stay and observe these sessions. Please note: the lecture portion of the program will run 12:00 to approximately 12:45 p.m.