HIGH STAKES FOR EARTH

Location: Garden Grove, CA
Client: City of Garden Grove

For a temporary installation that was commissioned to celebrate Earth Day, fifty-two wood stakes encircled a heritage sycamore tree located at a park adjacent to City Hall. Made from standard wood tree stakes, the stakes were painted in four colors (blue, green, orange, and pink) to represent the diverse members of the Garden Grove community as well as the four seasons.  The number fifty-two also referenced the number of weeks in a year.  Symbolically, the tree stakes support the tree and therefore support the Earth.  The community was crucial in installing the artwork. After the art installation was dismantled, the tree stakes were re-used by the City. Though Earth Day officially takes place only once a year, the artwork encouraged every one of us to carry our kind thoughts and deeds beyond this one day, possibly to each day, week, and season of the year.  We all have a high stake in the Earth’s future, which is our future as well.