The Cathedral (The Shrine of Trees, The Sisters and The Mother)

June 23, 2018 - September 2, 2018

Miya Ando

A naturally occuring ring of trees is called a Cathedral. In the center is the oldest, largest tree that drops seeds, which become seedlings and eventually large trees around the center tree. There is a natural ring of redwood trees (200 plus feet tall) where I lived in the Santa Cruz mountains. In the center of the ring was a ‘mother’ tree that had been struck by lightning and was charred black. Before the ‘mother’ tree was struck by lightning, it had dropped seeds in a ring around it, which grew to be huge giants. I have been fascinated by the fact that within a ring of trees, after the center ‘mother’ tree dies (struck by lightning or otherwise killed) the trees around it send glucose via the roots to the dying tree and keep it alive sometimes for decades. I invite visitors to enter the ring of trees, created with gossamer silk chiffon panels and hope to create a tranquil and contemplative, immersive environment.