The Covid Diaries 28: Hayward Gallery, Among the Trees

A review of the exhibition Among The Trees at the Hayward Gallery. In which the subject matter is more interesting than it sounds, but the aesthetic is privileged over the informational.

The Whole Thing is About Trees?

Among the Trees at the Hayward Gallery is an exhibition where, when I first heard the concept, I needed a bit of convincing – a bit like this one. I can’t face hearing much detail about climate change because it’s scary; and I was wary that it was either going to be a gloomy and pessimistic exhibition, or a bit one-note. After all: trees, what is there really to say about them? Quite a lot, as it turns out!

There are 37 contributing artists, all more or less contemporary, and all having in common arboreal subject matter. Aside from this, however, there is a surprising variety. This comes through in the media (photographs, cast works, cardboard, wooden sculptures of course, videos, digital works, dioramas, drawings etc.). And it also comes through in the points of view. Some of the artists were exploring the idea of the tree and how we take it for granted; some were capturing the majesty of ancient individual trees; others looked at human encroachment into formerly natural spaces; yet more had chosen forests as a way to create an artwork without the usual single focal point.

I appreciated the fact that even the very intellectual works tend to be aesthetically pleasing in this exhibition. Colombian artist Johanna Calle for example in Perímetros (Nogal Andino) has created an image of a walnut tree by typing and overtyping with a typewriter onto archival land registry paper. The typewriting is of a land restitution law relating to people displaced by armed conflict. Very clever and very layered, but still very beautiful (image below).

Navigating the Hayward Gallery Proves to be Tricky

In contrast with how pleasantly surprised I was by the quality and variety of the artworks, I was a little disappointed by the layout of the exhibition in terms of information. The exhibition was only open a short time before lockdown and has since been extended. I don’t know if it has been rearranged to avoid creating bottlenecks and help keep people flowing through, but I found it hard to actually locate the information that told me what the theme or idea behind each section was. I did find the introductory panel after a while, but didn’t spot a thematic panel until Gallery 3. What was I was supposed to learn in Galleries 1 & 2?

On the other hand, if the purpose was to create smooth flows of traffic then it seems effective. The Covid measures are all quite straightforward here and the spaces mostly big enough to allow plenty of distancing.

Final Thoughts

So I definitely recommend seeing Among the Trees at the Hayward. It’s a tranquil haven of arboreal contemplation, with a lot to learn if you can locate the information panels. There’s also a good cross section of contemporary art from Peter Doig to indigenous Colombian elder Abel Rodríquez who took up drawing in his 60s. It’s just a shame that it’s all the Hayward/Southbank Centre are planning for now (except for what’s outdoors or postponed). Out of all major London institutions they seem to have had the least presence since March, and the Hayward will close its doors once more after this exhibition is complete. Given the immense creativity coming from some quarters in the last six months, this seems like a real missed opportunity to pivot towards a programme that would allow visitors to keep flowing through. And would put some probably much-needed funds through the coffers.

On its own merits: 3/5
Implementing Covid rules: 4/5

Among the Trees until 31 October 2020