Hug A Tree is all about the sense of belonging. One way to start calling a space “yours” is to put part of you there — like bringing old photos when you move. After feeling disoriented during my orientations, I created this community project so future CalArtians won’t feel as disoriented as I did.
Hug A Tree is all about the sense of belonging. One way to start calling a space “yours” is to put part of you there — like bringing old photos when you move. After feeling disoriented during my orientations, I created this community project so future CalArtians won’t feel as disoriented as I did.
When coming to a new space, we are all like babies without memories.
French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu thinks. We gain agency and affirm our existence through crafting, shared practice, adding something new, and creating our community.
When coming to a new space, we are all like babies without memories.
French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu thinks. We gain agency and affirm our existence through crafting, shared practice, adding something new, and creating our community.
The task of this community project is simple: create your own tree at CalArts.
Proposed as a potential CalArts tradition, your tree either represents you, or is what you want others to see. It can be anything, and placed anywhere on campus. You bring it in when you come, and take it with you when you graduate. The tree marks your presence at CalArts. In a social topology sense, co-creating a forest of trees is like building a shared community.
The task of this community project is simple: create your own tree at CalArts.
Proposed as a potential CalArts tradition, your tree either represents you, or is what you want others to see. It can be anything, and placed anywhere on campus. You bring it in when you come, and take it with you when you graduate. The tree marks your presence at CalArts. In a social topology sense, co-creating a forest of trees is like building a shared community.
When you create something that is tactile, self-made, and huggable, you are performing the ritual of dwelling that induces care.
When you create something that is tactile, self-made, and huggable, you are performing the ritual of dwelling that induces care.
The word “tree” here is really just a metaphor.
It can be any tangible or intangible object. The only requirement is that it can be physically or psychologically hugged.
The word “tree” here is really just a metaphor.
It can be any tangible or intangible object. The only requirement is that it can be physically or psychologically hugged.
I visualized 17 friends’ sketches of their trees with 3D modeling, and turned them into an app
so you can take the trees with you wherever you go and place them anywhere you wish. As more people join this community project, the library will grow larger.
I visualized 17 friends’ sketches of their trees with 3D modeling, and turned them into an app
so you can take the trees with you wherever you go and place them anywhere you wish. As more people join this community project, the library will grow larger.
To belong to a space is to treat that space as your extension.
Your tree would become your anchor at CalArts, where new memories and emotions fan out. In this case, the tree is your bridge from history to the new.
To belong to a space is to treat that space as your extension.
Your tree would become your anchor at CalArts, where new memories and emotions fan out. In this case, the tree is your bridge from history to the new.
Year
2025
Artistic Era
Waxing Gibbous Moon
Production Timeframe
Sep - Nov 2025
Medium
3D Modeling and Photograph series
Edited in Blender and Pixelmator Pro
iPad AR App
Edited in Xcode and Reality Composer
Sizes
Variable
Credit
*Trees by*
Lu Ren
Susie Zhu
Chewy Chiu
Hao Chen
Molly Wurwand
Ege Atila
David Ding
Boa Zhang
Penny Jiang
Mina Bae
HUANG Kai Qing
Jiange Yang
Cindy Wang
Yin
Yudi Chen
Mandi Lu
©Copyright 2025 Sierra Zhang and Lonely Corridor Studio.
Year
2025
Artistic Era
Waxing Gibbous Moon
Production Timeframe
Sep - Nov 2025
Medium
3D Modeling and Photograph series
Edited in Blender and Pixelmator Pro
iPad AR App
Edited in Xcode and Reality Composer
Sizes
Variable
Credit
*Trees by*
Lu Ren
Susie Zhu
Chewy Chiu
Hao Chen
Molly Wurwand
Ege Atila
David Ding
Boa Zhang
Penny Jiang
Mina Bae
HUANG Kai Qing
Jiange Yang
Cindy Wang
Yin
Yudi Chen
Mandi Lu
©Copyright 2025 Sierra Zhang and Lonely Corridor Studio.