Art show celebrates cool contributions of LA trees

The concept of ‘shade equity’ inspires an interactive art exhibition curated by UC Cooperative Extension specialist Edith de Guzman

The Roots of Cool exhibition launches with a free opening reception on July 11. Photo courtesy of Descanso Gardens

The shade of a tree-lined street is a luxury for many Los Angeles neighborhoods. With temperatures rising due to climate change and urban wildfires threatening existing greenery, the value of public trees is on display — literally.

Shade equity is the inspiration for a new art exhibition at Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge called “Roots of Cool: A Celebration of Trees and Shade in a Warming World.” Running from July 12 to Oct. 12, this collection of artwork explores the historical trajectory of shade access in Los Angeles, including visions of a cooler future.

The indoor-outdoor show is co-curated by Jolly de Guzman and his partner, Edith de Guzman, a University of California Cooperative Extension water equity and adaptation policy specialist with UC Agriculture and Natural Resources and the UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation.

As a scientist and curator, Edith de Guzman sought to translate a systemic problem into a tangible medium — in this case, paintings, photography and installations. Pieces include imaginative bus stops that highlight public shade disparities, suspended umbrellas that serve as metaphors for tree canopies, and a “forest” of love letters to the future.

“Everyone has experienced this theme viscerally,” de Guzman said. “We decided to slow things down… through the lens of art, in a manner that would enable people to tap into something they are already familiar with — but through an aesthetic, heart-first approach.”

Hyperion by Diana Kohne is one of the paintings exploring the concept of “shade equity” in an exhibition curated by Edith and Jolly de Guzman. Photo courtesy of Diana Kohne

As they walk through the gallery space, visitors will be invited to place themselves in the evolving landscape of Los Angeles, attuned to the health of trees around them.

“These are living beings that need our care, especially in more arid climates,” de Guzman said. “One of the exhibit’s specific goals is to invite visitors to understand there is a way to address this issue. We all have a part in that.”

Artists include Robin Lasser, Leslie K. Gray, Chantée Benefield, Valerie Daval, Kim Abeles, Victoria Arriola, Pascaline Doucin-Dahlke, Cidne Hart, Diana Kohne, Lisa Tomczeszyn, Lois Keller, Sarita Zaleha, Yarn Bombing Los Angeles and Shoshana Ben-Horin.

The educational, interactive exhibition also includes several events.

July 11 – Free Opening Reception: meet the artists and curators, enjoy live music and experience the exhibit firsthand. Entrance to the gardens will be free for those attending the reception.
July 12, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the Sturt Haaga Gallery – Curator tours with Edith and Jolly de Guzman: an in-depth experience of the exhibit and a discussion on the concept of shade equity and community-based climate solutions.
July 25 – Cultivate: Made in the Shade: enjoy tours, workshops, live demonstrations and music throughout the gardens.
Aug. 2 – Celebration of Cool: a day-long, family-friendly event with a panel discussion, free tree giveaways, a thermal imaging booth, a heat scavenger hunt, a giant puppet parade, art workshops and more.

Signs of Life Diptych by artist Kim Abeles, one of the artists included in the Roots of Cool exhibition. Photo courtesy of Kim Abeles

By inviting the public to explore shade equity through visual and emotional storytelling, Roots of Cool advances the University of California’s effort to make environmental data actionable and inclusive.

Roots of Cool is dedicated to Pam Gibson and Jim Hardie, and their decades of commitment to greening and cooling Los Angeles’ most forgotten neighborhoods. Roots of Cool and its programs are funded in part by the Perenchio Foundation and Accelerate Resilience Los Angeles, a sponsored project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors; USDA Forest Service; and an endowment from Heather Sturt Haaga and Paul G. Haaga, Jr. The exhibition and its programs are presented in collaboration with UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation, UC Agriculture & Natural Resources, Los Angeles Center for Urban Natural Resources Sustainability, TreePeople, Arroyo Arts Collective, The Nature of Cities, Avenue 50 Studio, USC Public Exchange, Dashboard.Earth, and Accelerate Resilience Los Angeles.

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