I have just done some updating to me older site and more traditional photography site: photozoology
www.photozoology.com
I will be working on updating my www.michellelevante.com site also, and trying to keep up with some new posts.

Here is some text about my favorite tree that grows in Brooklyn:
Tree of Heaven -Ailanthus altissima is a common tree in disturbed urban areas, where it sprouts up just about anywhere, including alleys, sidewalks, parking lots, and streets. Ailanthus altissima is native to Asia, and began its journey west by being introduced to Europe in 1751 by a French Jesuit preist who brought it from Nanking, China to England. The first known specimen was brought into the United States a few decades later by William Hamilton, who planted this species in Philadelphia. A. altissima is considered an "Invasive" species by some. But in reality most of the habitats it invades are places where not many other species can grow. Its only fault may be decreasing the biodiversity of urban weeds; the other species it outcompetes are often non-native themselves. And we are all to blame for this, since the recent success of this species is due in part to the alteration of the landscape by humans.

On Oct 30th at an event for the Artist Collective at Galapagos Art Space, I put together a terarrium installation...
the focal point was a human pelvis and spinal column. I entwined weeds, such as Bitter Sweet Nightshade and thorny vines around the spine. In the pelvis, I place a gourd with a green pepper and the spines from a dead cactus. On the ground were Destroying Angel mushrooms, a poisionous species. In the skull I grew grass. I was wondering if perhaps I had some health code violations placing it in a bar.....