dendroChronos: Timekeepers
Context: Trees are nature’s timekeepers containing some of the most accurate records of the past in their growth rings including evidence of floods, droughts, fires, insect attacks, lightning strikes, and even earthquakes. The study of tree rings, Dendrochronology, combined with data collected from ice cores, pollen samples and fossil records help scientists to understand patterns, cycles and time frames of historic climate changes—locally and globally—and possibly the nature and extent of future climate changes.
DendroChronos: Timekeepers is a two part work that begins in the lobby of 180 Kent Street and connects the viewers to the rooftop garden.
The lobby holds the representation of 250 years of historical records—tree rings—while the rooftop garden is home to the Timekeeper—a living dwarf Sugar Maple tree that is recording time and evidence of the climate changes taking place.
Perhaps these records will be accessed at some future date. The living Maple Timekeeper will be the same age as the 180 Kent Street Building.