Palm Capsule

During his time in the MAK Center's Artists and Architects-in-Residence program last year, artist Christian Mayer focused on what is reported to be the oldest living palm tree in Los Angeles. With over 150 years of history in L.A.'s soil, this palm acts as mute witness to the growth of the city from its early days as a Spanish civilian pueblo to the megalopolis of today.

Located in Exposition Park since 1914, the tree's life story can be traced back to the late 1850s when it was moved from its origin in California's Colorado Desert to San Pedro Street, and then to the front of the main entrance of the Southern Pacific Railway Station in 1888. As the tree greeted thousand of new arrivals to the city during its 26 years outside the station, it earned status as an L.A. landmark.

To preserve the tree and its sentimental associations after the demolition of the train station in 1914, another relocation was necessary and the tree was replanted at its current site.

Palm trees have long been icons for Los Angeles and today it's hard to imagine the city without them. This specific palm tree though, perhaps the first one to establish this strong connection, seems mostly forgotten and, close to the end of its natural lifespan, will be gone forever in only a matter of years.

Christian Mayer's artwork Palm Capsule intends to prolong this living history into the 22nd century by burying an airtight, 14x14x30-inch stainless steel box filled with scientific and artistic contributions developed by primarily Los Angeles-based artists, writers and scientists after an exploration of the tree and its story. Buried next to the palm and intended to remain underground for 100 years, this capsule pens a note to the people of the year 2115. With contents positioned between science and fiction, it does not intend to give an accurate record of historical events, but rather initiate a sort of myth that can be reconstructed out of these fragments and spread after its unearthing.

On Wednesday, June 24th, from 7:00-9:00 PM the contributions to the capsule will be on display at the Mackey Apartments for the only time before going underground the next day.

Writer and historian Victoria Dailey will present her lecture "At the sign of the palm, Los Angeles," and the artist will join her and MAK Center director Kimberli Meyer in conversation after. 

Palm Capsule features contributions by the following artists: Kathryn Andrews, James Benning, Kaucyila Brooke, York Chang, Young Chung, Zoe Crosher, Morgan Fisher, Andreas Fogarasi, Andrea Fraser, Mariah Garnett, Lenz Haring, Marcus Herse, Darcy Huebler, Alice Könitz, Sonia Leimer, Devon McDonald-Hyman, Davida Nemeroff, Luciano Perna, Gala Porras-Kim, Stephen Prina, Six & Petritsch, Mandla Reuter, Stephanie Taylor, Geoff Tuck, James Welling, Alexander Wolff, Heimo Zobernig

Burial ceremony for Palm Capsule

Thursday, June 25, 2015 

7:00-8:00 PM