Human + Nature Opening Postponed At Morton Arboretum

LISLE, IL — The opening of Morton Arboretum's highly anticipated Human + Nature exhibition has been postponed due to "pandemic-related" delays in the arrival of materials for its sculptures. Originally slated to open April 9, the exhibition features five towering sculptures designed by South African artist Daniel Popper and made from wood, roots, greenery, glass-reinforced concrete and other materials.

The materials are en route to the arboretum "by ship, rail and truck," Tari Marshall, head of public relations and social media at Morton Arboretum told Patch, adding that some items are coming from as far away as a studio in China.

Marshall said, "We did plan for expected delays, but the current level of pandemic-related delays weren’t evident when the materials were shipped.”

When the items finally arrive, artist Daniel Popper will assemble them onsite to create the statues, some of which will stretch as high as 26-feet tall. The areas where Popper builds the statues will not be accessible to arboretum guests while under construction, but visitors will be able to admire the budding work from afar.

Marshall said Popper has already started work on a sculpture that will be on display at the arboretum's Meadow Lake.

Marshall said Popper, who is "is known for connecting his art with nature,” created each piece specifically for the arboretum "with a vision of the spaces that they will be in."

“He wanted to work with the arboretum because he felt the backdrop of the arboretum had a magical quality and that they were ideal spaces to tell stories through art about how we all coexist with trees," Marshall said.

One sculpture, entitled "Hollow," features a "female figure opening her chest," Marshall said.
“The idea is that trees and nature are at the heart of the arboretum's mission and work and our vision for the future," Marshall told Patch.

Another sculpture, called Basilica, depicts “two large hands, which represent that conservation and restoration are the work of many hands," Marshall said.

Marshall hopes the statues will provide a “teachable moment for people to learn more about the many benefits of trees and how they can help plant and protect trees as well.” On that note, she added that the arboretum will be involved in a digital campaign in April as part of the Chicago Region Trees Initiative to encourage people to learn how to plant and care for trees.

Marshall told Patch the arboretum is not yet sure when the Human + Nature exhibition will open, as it depends on when materials arrive. Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, visitors will be required to buy timed-entry tickets in advance. Additionally, face masks and social distancing will be required.