You are the Tree is an interdisciplinary, community-focused artwork which celebrates local labor while considering the linked histories of Redwood City and California as members of our shared global citizenry. The project juxtaposes the historical facts of the 19th century clear cutting of old growth redwoods from the Santa Cruz Mountains with the resultant development of Redwood City, both historically and currently, with emphasis on the contrast of disruptive inventions and resurgent interests in slow/by hand/craft industries.
Centered on the floor of the kiosk is a seven-foot diameter replica of an old growth, coast redwood tree stump. The stump’s multi-colored and highly textured bark alludes to the beauty and value of human and environmental diversity. Concentric growth rings are visible on the surface of the stump. Small flags mark significant disruptive invention events which occurred during the last 1000 years, the lifespan of the tree. A living redwood tree sprouts from the stump’s center. For the Redwood City installation, photographic slices of Redwood City’s new residential high-rise buildings tower in each of the glass kiosk’s four corners. Through the windows, landmark buildings, including the Fox Theatre and the former San Mateo County Courthouse, are visible. The kiosk windows contain four words: you are the tree.
This handcrafted paper pulp assembly was made from locally sourced, Redwood City, craft industry byproducts such as spent beer grains, eggshells, fabric scraps, flower parts and hair. The twenty-five unique bark sections are tagged with legacy tree markers to identify both merchant and byproduct. Each section celebrates local labor and honors people who make things with their hands.
Over 30 Redwood City small business entities have contributed their industry byproducts for You are the Tree. The contributors include: Alana’s Cafe, Alloy Cutting, Broadway Cleaners, Connoisseur Coffee Company, The Daily Journal, Dobson Beekeepers, Donato Enoteca Restaurant, Dragon Theatre, Freewheel Brewing Company, Fuse Theatre, Gents Barber Parlor, Ghostwood Brewing Company, Golden Bay Glass, La Honda Winery, Main & Elm Restaurant, Milagros Latin Kitchen, Old Port Lobster Shack, Radhika Beauty Salon, Raul’s Grooming Center, Redwood City Florist, Sigona’s Farmers Market, Torres Custom Upholstery, and University Art Supply. Hold Fast Tattoo, Poseidon Pools, Redwood City Ace Hardware, and Woodside Bike Shop contributed infrastructure materials. Wegman’s Nursery donated the living coast redwood tree which will be planted in Redwood City’s Red Morton Park at the end of the Art Kiosk exhibition. Research assistance was provided by the Local History Archive Room, Redwood City Public Library; and the San Mateo County History Museum. The book Redwood City, A Hometown History by the Archives Committee of the Redwood City Public Library provided valuable contextual and historical documentation. Photographer David Beres photographed the residential towers specifically for this project.
You Are the Tree asks us to consider:
What constitutes a meaningful life?
What constitutes meaningful labor?
What are we willing to put at risk for future generations to have something ourselves today?
What role can and do individuals play in environmental health and a sustainable culture?
What can I do to participate positively in creating a sustainable, healthy Redwood City?
What is my byproduct and what can I do with it creatively without causing harm?
An artist’s statement and documentation of process, including the making of the paper pulp can be found at preneo.org/youarethetree.