The Wonder Tree Unveiled
See Saw Seeds CT/NY: A Japanese and American Collaborative Artist Residency
Like a small seed, sprouts and grows to bloom, See Saw Seed spreads and is beginning to sprout. Though small now, it is growing and will bloom into a larger, global art community, with members communicating through the power of art.
Stamford-based sculptor and instructor, Mark Andreas, and Westchester-based artist Laura R. Lavan, along with various local CT and NY partners, have joined forces with an established international artist and research program, “See Saw Seeds,” which was created with the Conference on Art and art Projects (CAP) from Kobe, Japan. See Saw Seeds has brought ceramic artist Akiko Geirin to Stamford, CT and the Bartlett Arboretum.
Akiko, Laura, and Mark collaborated to create a tree, which they call the Wonder Tree. They imagined that this tree grew from a seed of this artist exchange program. From that seed, this project blossomed meaningful relationships and connections among international artist communities.
Akiko conceived her ceramic pieces through her experience traveling from Japan to the United States and her encounters within the communities here in Connecticut and New York. For example, she found the moon to be a wonderous celestial being that connects Japan with the United States, which, for Akiko, had seemed like two alien worlds before she arrived in New York and saw the same moon guiding her. Akiko has also created a saw-like leaf to symbolize a conversation she had with Mark about the various potential interpretations of “See Saw Seeds,” especially the dual meaning of “saw” in English, which includes the past tense of the verb “to see” as well as the wood cutting tool that Mark often uses in his workshop. Also, for Akiko, it was surprising to see popcorn seemingly everywhere in America, which is seldom eaten in Japan. After learning that the United States is the largest producer, consumer, and exporter of corn in the world, she created two pieces that resemble flowers, but are actually inspired by popcorn.
Laura made pieces representing the Connecticut Laurel to highlight the natural world within the local community. Mark constructed the tree out of cedar, which has been used for exterior buildings, including Japanese temples, for tens of thousands of years because of its ability to resist rot and stand the test of time. As such, the Wonder Tree complements the Bartlett Arboretum’s significant collection of conifer trees from around the world.
On the Wonder Tree, you will also find various creatures, each of which represents one of the artists. Can you figure out who is who?
Special thanks to Louise Bergman for her assistance and artistry as well as Gauri Gidwani for her unending support. Many thanks to the Studio Andreas community and everyone who made the project happen and welcomed Akiko, especially Kunjan and Curt.