On view through 24 October, the art installation PlanTable transforms the urban environment of Boston’s Chinatown into an ecological refuge. Curated by Lani Asunción and presented by the Pao Arts Center as part of the Un-monument initiative, it amounts to an ecology- and art-driven rethinking of public space.

Conceived as a modular and scalable structure, PlanTable incorporates sixteen trees and a diverse range of perennial plants selected for their capacity to attract pollinators. This vegetal oasis not only helps mitigate the effects of extreme heat, but also provides a space for gatherings.

Aside from giving shade and generating biodiversity, the installation acts as a visual climate timeline, marking the years since 1870 – when Chinatown was founded – during which temperatures exceeded historical averages. This graphic narrative highlights the impact of climate change in urban communities.

When the exhibition is over, all the vegetation will be distributed among community members, ensuring that their ecological benefits will last beyond the duration of the project that denounces the lack of green spaces.