Besides being the best public-art project I've seen in Cincinnati since my return here three years ago, Shinji Turner-Yamamoto's Global Tree Project: Hanging Garden at Mount Adams’ old (and otherwise empty) Holy Cross Church is so contemplatively beautiful it should be permanent. But that would create a problem — one of the two trees suspended by wires in the middle of the former sanctuary is alive and needs care and watering. (It's the one on top.)
The Japanese-born artist, who lives in Cincinnati and also has a concurrent exhibition, Disappearances, at the Contemporary Arts Center, has devised a watering system, a jewel of technical invention. But he could still use your prayers. To that end, Sri Lankan monks from the Ohio Buddhist Vihara will chant on its behalf from 3-6 p.m. Saturday and Japanese monks will chant at noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Admission is free; parking is available. The church is at 1055 St. Paul Place (and is otherwise known as The Monastery office building). Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could find worthy art projects for our other empty inner-city churches and sanctuaries?
Go here for exhibit and venue details.
