Zippitydirtdada (ZDD) is a long-term sustainability collaboration between artists, community members, and 30 acres of land in southeast Ohio’s Appalachian Forest.
Established in December of 2017 by women artists, Zippitydirtdada holds the vision of providing and maintaining an ecologically informed and responsible space where people can process, experiment, and play, with the understanding that art has a critical role in democracy.
Zippitydirtdada combines art and the environment with alternative educational methods through unschooling, collaboration, and democratic planning.
Through humor, creative play, and ecological responsibility, we radicalize ways of making and evolving by slowing down, disconnecting with technology, and reconnecting with each other and the environment.
Established, emerging, and student artists are challenged to think of the impacts of design by considering pressing social and environmental issues such as social justice and climate change.
Working with limited available resources, artists approach a collaborative studio practice outside of convention, emphasizing process over object, from commodity maker to change maker.
Projects are structured through workshops and partnerships we facilitate among artists, community members, and experts in the region.
We weave a stronger social fabric by engaging a diverse panel of teachers and learners in an effort to question, understand, and bridge the gap between rural and city identities and modes of being.
By breaking down power structures and empowering female leadership, we promote ecological and community preservation while shedding dominant patriarchal structures that have fractured our sense of belonging.
We believe caretaking is an important healing and radical practice.
Zippitydirtdada (ZDD) is a long-term sustainability collaboration between artists, community members, and 30 acres of land in southeast Ohio’s Appalachian Forest.
Established in December of 2017 by women artists, Zippitydirtdada holds the vision of providing and maintaining an ecologically informed and responsible space where people can process, experiment, and play, with the understanding that art has a critical role in democracy.
Forest Yoga, 2019 (Ongoing), Humans, trees, air, breath
Zippitydirtdada combines art and the environment with alternative educational methods through unschooling, collaboration, and democratic planning.
Through humor, creative play, and ecological responsibility, we radicalize ways of making and evolving by slowing down, disconnecting with technology, and reconnecting with each other and the environment.
Established, emerging, and student artists are challenged to think of the impacts of design by considering pressing social and environmental issues such as social justice and climate change.
Working with limited available resources, artists approach a collaborative studio practice outside of convention, emphasizing process over object, from commodity maker to change maker.
Projects are structured through workshops and partnerships we facilitate among artists, community members, and experts in the region.
We weave a stronger social fabric by engaging a diverse panel of teachers and learners in an effort to question, understand, and bridge the gap between rural and city identities and modes of being.
By breaking down power structures and empowering female leadership, we promote ecological and community preservation while shedding dominant patriarchal structures that have fractured our sense of belonging.
We believe caretaking is an important healing and radical practice.
"Let It Go", 2019 (In progress) 6 x 8 x 8' Fallen Ash trees, wood, metal, ceramic tile, waste
A harmonious interactive sculpture where we kindly let our shit go back to the land. Designed by Eva Ball in collaboration with Zippitydirtdada artists and other kind humans. The composting itself is based on trusted systems used by Thomas Lauterbach and Joseph Jenkins. Inside the room clad in local wood harvested from trees felled by the emerald ash borer we milled ourselves and other unwanted pieces. Waste from the land will be combined with waste from us to create useful compost. The space will also serve as a water collection system through rain barrels and as a gallery.
“Let It Go”, 2019 (In progress) 6 x 8 x 8' Fallen Ash trees, wood, metal, ceramic tile, waste. Designed by Eva Ball in collaboration with Zippitydirtdada artists and other kind humans.
Beekeeping, 2019, Bees, beehive
We began beekeeping at Zippitydirtdada in April of 2019. Through this process we are learning about bee behavior, the importance of dance and working hard, pollination, communication, and ways to support the land and all the living creators that exist on it. Bees are essential to food production and maintaining a healthy ecosystem.
We began beekeeping at Zippitydirtdada in April of 2019. Through this process we are learning about bee behavior, the importance of dance and working hard, pollination, communication, and ways to support the land and all the living creators that exist on it. Bees are essential to food production and maintaining a healthy ecosystem.
Kiln Building Workshop (Phase I), 2019 (In process), 10 x 5 x 10', Catenary arch wood kiln
Southern Ohio is rich in clay and has a storied history of kilns and ceramic artists. Ohio is a national leader in mining and manufacturing clay and shale. Our catenary arch wood kiln will be used for creating new work with the surrounding clay as we wish to be mindful with our materials, history, and resources. The kiln will also be used for cooking community meals and as an educational tool.
Southern Ohio is rich in clay and has a storied history of kilns and ceramic artists. Ohio is a national leader in mining and manufacturing clay and shale. Our catenary arch wood kiln will be used for creating new work with the surrounding clay as we wish to be mindful with our materials, history, and resources. The kiln will also be used for cooking community meals and as an educational tool.
