Mary Ting

“Inside the Confucius Plaza there are small plantings that have memorial signs. I feel like that is something that is so important for us as humans: when you have a loss, there is a way to continue on with something living that you can take care of. It is a universal theme.” - Mary Ting, CALL/WALK, 2016

Mary Ting collaborates on CALL/CHINATOWN. Ting is a visual artist who works in installation, drawing, sculpture, and community projects that reflect on grief, memories, and human interactions with nature. In 2016 she led a CALL/WALK with Paul Bartlett & Sophie Plitt during which they discussed the nuances of post 9-11 air pollution, toxicity, and quality of life issues that affect Chinatown residents. In 2018 Ting led “21st Century Tree of Life: Growing,” a CALL workshop for senior citizens about easy-to-grow local herbs and their medicinal properties.

Ting was a 2016 Artist in Residence at the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council’s Process Space on Governors Island, as well as at the Joan Mitchell Art Center, New Orleans. She has an upcoming project in Jaipur, India. Ting teaches at John Jay College in both the Studio Art Department and the Sustainability & Environmental Justice Program. She is also an avid gardener and was part of the 2016 Master Composter certification class with the Lower Eastside Ecology Center.

CALL/CHINATOWN 21st Century Tree of Life: Growing — 2018

Mary Ting led the workshop 21st Century Tree of Life at Educational Alliance’s rooftop garden. Elderly members of the community listened to Donna Mah talk about the healing properties of Chinese medicinal herbs, which was followed by Mary Ting’s careful instructions on how to grow and care for such herbs at home. The workshop ended with the participants planting mugwort and perilla into milk crate planters.

21st Century Tree of Life creatively motivated participants to improve their overall wellness in fun, social and educational ways. The workshop reaffirmed tradition while being mindful of sustainability. The workshop offering a “do it yourself” windowsill herb garden in order to open a discussion about health, eating seasonally, and the notion of sustainability, pesticide usage, water shortages, raising temperatures and the joy of growing your own. Each participant left the workshop with a starter “kit” and instructions.

This workshop is part of CALL // CHINATOWN, a larger initiative of artist and scientist led collaborations that delve into the ecological, and cultural landscape of Chinatown.

BROADWAY: 1000 STEPS/CHINATOWN - FALL 2016

Artist Mary Ting, together with scientist Paul Bartlett and urban forester Sophie Plitt discussed some of the nuances of post 9-11 air pollution, toxicity and quality of life issues that Chinatown residents face. Along the way, the current lack of green space and opportunities for creative green interventions will be highlighted. The walk began on the Southwest corner of Broadway and Canal, with a stop at the triangle/kiosk on Canal; the corner of 70 Mulberry (formerly PS 23) and Bayard; at the fencing at Bowery near the Canal Street/bridge intersection facing PS 124, and ended in front of the Confucius Plaza.

This walk is a part of CALL/WALKS, an ongoing series of artist and scientist led public walks diving deep into urgent, local environmental concerns and innovative ideas to overcome them. This particular walk connects to CALL’s larger initiative in the Broadway: 1000 Steps.