Ancient Wisdom for a Future Ecology: Trees, Time & Technology
Getty's PST ART Art & Science Collide
First exhibited at Los Angeles’s Skirball Cultural Center to wide acclaim, the show next appears at di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art’s new San Francisco location,
January 22–April 11, 2026
TREE TRIBUTE GALLERY
At the Ancient Wisdom exhibition the wall text reads:
Explore trees in your neighborhood and create a tree tribute based on biology, history, and your own unique perspective that will be archived for others to appreciate.
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Take home the provided measuring tape. Take two if you are thinking of a large tree. Identify one tree in your neighborhood that you’d like to acknowledge, explore, or celebrate.
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Snap two digital photos of the tree (one of the entire tree and a second of some leaves close up).
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Measure the distance around the tree trunk with the measuring tape. This will help the artist estimate the tree’s age.
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Visit seeingtheforests.org to submit your tree photos, tree measurement, and tree location. Be sure to include your own personal impressions or observations about the tree.
You can share your name or remain anonymous. Using AI, the artists will create a customized image and text tribute for your tree that interweaves your personal reflections with the tree’s life and LA events.
On the display in the museum, you can see examples below from previous visitors. When the exhibition comes to di Rosa SF, we will create this experience around Bay Area history and trees.
Tree #54 : Ficus rubiginosa
In Central Los Angeles, a Ficus rubiginosa flourishes, its verdant leaves dancing in the breeze, reminiscent of a young girl's flowing hair. This resilient tree, around 75 years old, has witnessed the vibrant cultural shifts of the city. It stood steadfast as street murals emerged, defining an era of urban expression and helping to weave stories of neighborhood pride. Additionally, it bore witness to the establishment of the Museum of Contemporary Art, a beacon of creativity that solidified the city's artistic identity. Amidst a changing landscape, this treasured tree remains a silent witness to the evolving tapestry of LA's creative spirit.