The Morton Arboretum, in Lisle, Illinois, United States, is a public garden, and outdoor museum with a library, herbarium, and program in tree research including the Center for Tree Science. Its grounds, covering 1,700 acres (6.9 square kilometres), include cataloged collections of trees and other living plants, gardens, and restored areas, among which is a restored tallgrass prairie. The living collections include more than 4,100 different plant species. There are more than 200,000 cataloged plants.
South African artist Daniel Popper debuted his first major exhibition in the United States—and his largest ever—at The Morton Arboretum in Illinois. Human+Nature is a sprawling exhibition that sees five large-scale sculptures by Popper invading the 1,700-acre arboretum. Ranging anywhere from 15 to 26 feet tall, the sculptures “inspire awe as they connect people and trees.
Popper, who is known for his incredible public art installations, did not hold back when it came to taking influence from the environment. The nature-inspired sculptures speak to the Arboretum's mission, which is to connect visitors with trees. Made from glass-reinforced concrete, wood, fiberglass, and steel, each sculpture is monumental yet strikes a strong emotional chord.