Invasive Ikebana

This revolutionary twentieth-century approach blends centuries-old tradition with dynamic creative expression. We’ll incorporate invasive, or introduced, plant species—non-native plants that have taken root in our local ecosystem.

The workshop will begin at the Gothic Arch near the Main Entrance, where Sara Evans, Green-Wood’s director of living collections and curator, will lead a walk through the Cemetery. Along the way, participants will forage for invasive plants and use them to create their ikebana arrangements during a hands-on workshop by Oldham at the Fort Hamilton Gatehouse.

Some supplies will be provided, but attendees are encouraged to bring additional materials, including:

• Plant materials: Any floral or vegetable elements you’d like to use or share—anything from daisies to bananas, whether purchased or gathered. Some materials will be foraged at Green-Wood, but the more, the better!
  
• Containers: Vases or any type of vessel that can hold water. It doesn’t need to be a traditional vase—anything watertight will do.
  
• Unusual or personal items: Feel free to bring any unique or unexpected objects you’d like to incorporate into your arrangement. Think of this as flower arranging meets assemblage—creativity is welcome, as long as it works with water.

A $20 suggested donation for this event ensures we can provide free and low-cost programs throughout the year. 

Shanzhai Lyric

The poetic inquiry of Shanzhai Lyric uses the concept of “shanzhai”—the Chinese term for counterfeit—as a framework to reconsider notions of ownership and property. Its stewards, Ming Lin and Alex Tatarsky, born and raised in New York, draw inspiration from their Lower Manhattan neighborhood, particularly the immigrant community of street vendors, small business owners, and artists around Canal Street, the city’s hub for counterfeit goods. Circulating an archive of over 400 shanzhai poetry-garments, Shanzhai Lyric engages with global production schemes by considering the politics and poetics of the bootleg garment. Their residency focuses on Green-Wood’s colony of monk parakeets, who are celebrated for their unique place in the city’s ecosystem, and whom they’ve called “the original mimicry artists.”

Shanzhai Lyric has previously exhibited their work in national and international institutions, including MoMA PS1, Henry Moore Institute, and Times Museum, among others. Shanzhai Lyric’s practice has been supported by numerous residencies, including the LES Studio Program at Cuchifritos, Canal Projects, and Cité des arts. 

Christian Kōun Alborz Oldham

Christian Kōun Alborz Oldham is an artist, writer, and ikebana practitioner who continues Flower Planet, a studio founded by their teacher Kosen Ohtsubo, a pivotal figure in the avant-garde ikebana movement since the 1970s.

Please note that if only 1 ticket shows as available during the purchase process, that is the last ticket available.

Before Reserving A Ticket, Please Note:

• Tickets: There is no need to print tickets! Attendees will be checked in by name.
• Where To Go: Check-in takes place at the Gothic Arch near the Main Entrance at Fifth Avenue and 25th Street (500 25th Street). Please note that this workshop will take place and end at the Cemetery’s Fort Hamilton Entrance.
• Accessibility & Safety: Walking tour routes cover hilly, grassy, and uneven terrain. This tour is not accessible for those using wheelchairs or other mobility aids and may be difficult for those with balance or other mobility issues. There is no place to sit down during the tour. For other disability-related accommodations, contact us at 718-210-3080, ext. 1, or events@green-wood.com. This tour is not recommended for children under the age of 10. We strongly encourage attendees to wear suitable footwear.
• A Little More About Safety: Unless there is a medical emergency, it may be difficult to exit quickly during the tour. Please consider these limitations before purchasing tickets.
• Refunds: All ticket sales are final. Refunds are only permissible if the tour is canceled by Green-Wood. Tickets cannot be exchanged for a different tour date. For tours with designated rain dates, tickets will only be valid on those specified dates.
• Inclement Weather Policy: We monitor weather conditions throughout the day for the best chance of proceeding with the tour, and will not make a final decision until approximately 3 hours before the start of the tour. Cancellations will be announced via Eventbrite email blasts, so check your email and spam folders.