Ancient Wisdom for a Future Ecology: Trees, Time, and Technology

As we confront escalating environmental concerns and pervasive societal inequities, trees remind us of the interconnectedness of our histories, our landscapes, and our collective futures. Artists Ken Goldberg and Tiffany Shlain will create an interactive, multi-sensory art installation that draws inspiration from the landscape of Los Angeles, the science of tree dating (dendrochronology), artificial intelligence, and Jewish thought, from the Tree of Knowledge to the holiday of Tu B’Shevat, the “New Year of the Trees.” The exhibition will feature a large-scale video “portrait” of Los Angeles analyzing images of the tree canopy alongside census data, full-sized cross-sections of salvaged trees etched with evocative timelines inspired by LA history, and personal “tributes” to specific LA trees created by the public using custom AI software. The exhibition will be accompanied by related programming created in collaboration with the artists, local communities, and ecological organizations.