Forest is the Artist
A Korean forest known as “Gomsil” is having its own art exhibition in Seoul, and the organizer plans to throw the profits into the forest.
Art Lab
Our socially engaged ecological artworks take form in workshops, forums, exhibitions, and artist-led interventions, aimed at catalyzing sustainable thinking and action for social and ecological well-being.
“With Nature” Exhibition and Workshop at MUJI
Invited by the Japanese retailer MUJI, to host a series about ‘connecting to nature’ in their new flagship store, we aimed to plant seeds of change in people’s minds.
Nature Mandala (aka: Finding Nature in a Shopping Mall)
For two hours, we asked shoppers in the world’s largest MUJI store (無印良品) near Osaka, Japan to stop shopping, slow down, and re-connect with nature. Here’s what happened…
Nick Reeves Award for Arts and Environment: Special Commendation
Administered by the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) and the Centre for Contemporary Art and the Natural World (CCANW). The branch is one of two organizations who received commendations, in addition to the overall award winner.
Alicia Bay Laurel Acoustic Live & Sharing Economy
A concert featuring one of The Branch’s best friends, New York Times bestselling author and musician, Alicia Bay Laurel. The concert quickly sold out, filling the cozy gallery here at The Branch with a warm, family-like atmosphere.
Herb Tea Blending Workshop
Using herbs from our community garden, every participant made their own, unique herb tea blend to take home.
A Song for Summer Trees
Drawing on a long time collaboration, Korean musician BomNunByeol (봄눈별) joined Patrick for the premiere of their live music and film meditation concert at The Branch.
Building The Branch: Before & After
When we decided to open an ecological art space, we made a firm decision to design and build as much as possible ourselves. As a result, most materials were salvaged from demolished homes, and all of the work was done by our hands and those of like-minded volunteers. Here is the result!
Heeyoung Park: The Seeds Inside Us
During her time at The Branch, animator Heeyoung Park reminds us how the fragile existence of our lives (the seed within us) inevitably holds enormous potential for power and beauty.
The Branch, Osaka
An ecological art lab and pocket farm located in Osaka, Japan conceived and built by Patrick M. Lydon and Suhee Kang with help from donors and volunteers from Japan and around the world. The space hosts community workshops and exhibitions by an international cast of resident artists, all aimed at re-kindling our relationship with nature.
Jeongran Choi: Extraordinary Tales of Everyday Life
For her exhibition “Extraordinary Tales of Everyday Life,” Jeongran hid little artworks in the corners of the tiny library, on shelves, and even in the bathroom. She shared both her painstaking process of art creation, and alongside it, the beauty in the little things.
Melike Bozkurt and Erdem Temel: Music Instruments from Trash
The group came up with guitars, flutes, marimbas, a hand-held drum kit, and a clarinet/saxophone like contraption… all made from trash.