Disassembling the "Old Tree"
Lens and Loci - Vol. 2
"I think that I shall never see / A poem lovely as a tree." - Joyce Kilmer
Those who walked the High Line last year will remember Pamela Rosencrantz’s “Old Tree”. Sitting on the High Line’s Plinth and standing over 25ft tall, Rosencrantz’s art installation towered over 10th Ave and was a fixture for public spectacle. Notably, the Old Tree’s highlighter pink and red colors pierced through New York’s monochromatic cityscape in a way that no other object could. The tree was so artificial, yet organic. Its brightly colored circulatory-system-esque trunk and branches were a stark contrast to the sterile and imposing glass, metal, and stone structures surrounding it.
The “Old Tree” was painstakingly assembled piece by piece in May 2023. At the end of September 2024, it was finally coming down.
The High Line Art team invited me to photodocument the disassembly of the Old Tree. Here’s what I captured.
Part 1 of 3: Disassembly
John, the project manager, was the toughest-looking guy on the job. He had a wrinkled face, a thick New York accent, and calloused, scarred hands. However, as soon as his team started working, he turned into the most affable and quick-witted guy as he roasted both me and his team (see the gallery - in the fist bump picture, he’s the guy on the left). Recall the banter between Joe Pesci and Marisa Tomei in My Cousin Vinny. Exactly like that. What a fun time.
Part 2 of 3: Packing
The “Old Tree” was purchased by an unknown art collector abroad. Each component of the tree needed to be carefully wrapped and then packed. A specialist in the destination country would have to carefully reassemble the tree and refinish each of its branches.
I’m glad that the tree will be regrown and enjoyed elsewhere. Piecing it back together will be a monumental task.
Part 3 of 3: Gone
The “Old Tree” was completely disassembled in 3 days. It was replaced by a giant pigeon sculpture, designed by Iván Argote and officially named “Dinosaur.”
