Death by Avocados Diana Kiaee

Death by Avocados is a multimedia drawing that addresses the deforestation caused by avocado cultivation. The drawing is made of oil pastels, wax and pencil crayons, and a black ballpoint pen. The process of frottage was used to recreate the imagery of a cut tree trunk as a way of visually depicting the murder of a tree; concealed by currency. Research for this project began with an investigation of the avocado fruit, and the way in which avocado orchards replace carbon-storing trees; such as pine and oak, for monetary gain. Connecting the consumption of avocados with the global demand that fuels deforestation (as a result of capitalism), this project asks viewers to consider the impact of buying their next bag of avocados.