Instructions: Help the Tree of Hope Flourish

Pick a “leaf-square” from the box (to your left) and place it anywhere on the tree you like. There is a subtle blue grid on the face of the artwork to help guide you with placement. There is a table at the bottom of this webpage that details what colors represent which cancer forms. You are welcome to choose a color based on your experiences with cancer or simply because you like a particular color or color combination. There are no wrong color(s) choices so please enjoy!

When placing the leaf-square on the artwork, you may build off of other leaf-squares or pick your own place on the artwork. You can even stack the leaf-squares on top of one another to create a 3D effect.

If a leaf-square is resisting placement exactly where you want it to settle, simply rotate it 90º until it seats correctly. This happens due to the polarity of the magnets being used and is normal for them to scoot over to one side on their own as the magnetic forces repeal and attract each other. If the leaf-square is being fussy, keep rotating it 90º until it seats just the way you want it to.

Tree of Hope: The Meaning

The Tree is a symbol used in cancer treatment to represent deeply rooted strength, life, and hope for the future. The tree’s trunk represents the institution providing strength, the branches represent the caregivers providing support and protection, and the leaves represent the patients and survivors. This creates a meaningful visual representation of the care, support and deeply rooted bonds that is experienced with long-term treatment in a nurturing environment.

Whether patient, ally, or caregiver, this installation incorporates an interactive element that relies on the viewers’ participation to show their support for others who are experiencing cancer in their lives — by placing a colored leaf-square onto the ever-growing and changing Tree of Hope. This notion of encouragement and togetherness lets others know they are not alone in their fight against cancer.

Please help us nurture this Tree of Hope by adding a leaf-square of your own and observe as the tree changes with the seasons and over time. You may decide to select a particular leaf-square because the color is associated with a specific form of cancer and treatment (see chart below), because you want to add to a certain cluster of leaves on the tree, or simply because you like the color. No matter what you choose, your addition to the tree will help it flourish.

This installation is a special project of the Cedars-Sinai SOCCI department, the Cedars-Sinai Advisory Council for the Arts, and the Cedars-Sinai Arts Program. This interactive artwork was inspired by the artwork of Charles Gaines’, created by artist and curator of the Cedars-Sinai Art Program, John T. Lange, and is being completed by all who interact with it. The Tree of Hope was installed and dedicated in 2024.

The Tree in the Tree of Hope

The tree pictured is an Oak tree, chosen due to its significance and connection to the Los Angeles area. While not a direct representation, the Encino Tree was a major source of inspiration when deciding which native species to represent as the tree in the Tree of Hope artwork.

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The Cityscape in the Tree of Hope

The original mixed media artwork that was used as the backdrop for the Tree of Hope is artist John T. Lange’s interpretation of Los Angeles and its unique and interesting history. Specific neighborhoods that relate to the history and story of Cedars-Sinai were chosen and combined to represent the growth and movement of Cedars-Sinai and the Jewish community across Los Angeles as it grew and expanded to what we know of them today.

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The Inspiration: Charles Gaines

Prominent Los Angeles artist and educator, Charles Gaines, has captivated audiences with his innovative artworks which frequently center on the profound beauty and symbolism of trees. His unique approach to visual expression explores complex themes of perception, language, and mathematics. In the series titled, Numbers and Trees, Gaines offers a fascinating blend of the organic and the abstract through methodically overlaying numerical grids onto images of trees. By distilling the essence of trees into grids and layers, Gaines not only creates visually stunning compositions but also underscores the patterns and interconnectedness of art, science, and the natural world.

Gaines’ work also delves into the realms of history, culture, and identity. His use of trees as a subject matter is deeply rooted in the legacy of landscape painting and offers a critical lens through which to examine the cultural significance of nature. By deconstructing and reassembling trees through his meticulous process, he prompts viewers to contemplate the broader implications of artistic representation, the act of seeing, and the meaning of the environment in our lives. Charles Gaines’ work with trees is a striking fusion of aesthetics, intellect, and conceptual commentary, making it a fascinating exploration of both the visual and conceptual dimensions of art.

The artworks adjacent to the Tree of Hope were created by Charles Gaines, two of which are located to the right of the Tree of Hope (#1) and two more are located to the right of Tree of Hope(#2). All four were created in 2018 and are titled; Numbers and Trees, Tiergarten Series 3, Tree #1, April, Tree #2, May, Tree #4, July, and Tree #6, September. They are from a limited edition of 25 and are a color aquatint and spite bite aquatint with printed acrylic boxes which have been encased in a second protective acrylic box. Charles Gaines and his impressive artworks serve as inspiration for the interactive Tree of Hope next to them that we invite viewers to help the tree thrive by adding a colored leaf-square.