A new interactive art exhibit is coming to The Morton Arboretum this spring.
The installation, titled “Tree Dimensions,” will open May 22, 2027, according to a press release from the arboretum.
A larger-than-life exhibit
The exhibit will feature five sculptures, ranging between 11 and 20 feet in height, that visitors can climb and play on. They’ll resemble the unique and complex structure of trees, with a colorful and abstract twist.
Berlin-based Chilean artist Rommy González said she took inspiration from the natural features around her, like the sturdy base of a trunk, the sprawl of roots in soil and veins inside a leaf.
“I’ve always been fascinated by the hidden worlds within nature, and I wanted to create spaces that reveal the beauty, complexity and connections that make trees so remarkable,” González said in the release. “By showing different angles of trees, my goal is to help promote a greater understanding of the ways every branch, leaf, trunk and root contributes to sustaining healthy ecosystems.”
Image courtesy: Rommy González
Getting hands-on with art
These pieces of art aren’t the typical ‘look, don’t touch’ that you might find within the walls of a museum; instead, they include “playground-like” elements that are meant to be used.
Amy Scott, The Morton Arboretum’s head of exhibitions, said guests are encouraged to explore the sculptures from every angle.
“Tree Dimensions invites visitors to engage with those hidden connections in an entirely new way,” Scott said. “Whether you’re walking through a sculpture, watching sunlight filter through colorful forms or seeing children explore giant roots, we hope people leave with a deeper appreciation for the complexity and wonder of trees.”
About the artist
Rommy González created this body of work in partnership with architect José Francisco Calbacho and art agency Millecent. Architect Javiera Varas Schumacher was also a collaborator on one of the sculptures.
Image courtesy: Rommy González
Where to find it
Four pieces of the art will be located along the arboretum’s Conifer Walk, which begins near the Visitor Center and travels through wooded areas full of trees and shrubbery from across the globe.
A fifth sculpture will also be displayed on a hill facing Interstate 88, visible to drivers as they pass through the area and accessible to hikers by trail.
The exhibition will remain at the arboretum through March 2029. Access will be included with general admission.
Renderings courtesy of Rommy González
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