Combining public art, horticulture, and environmental preservation, The Open Orchard is a permanent yet continuously changing artwork on Governors Island commissioned through Governors Island Arts. It takes the form of a public orchard comprised of hybrid trees containing antique and heirloom fruit varieties that are native to, originated in, or were historically grown in, and around New York City over the past 400 years but have all but disappeared due to the industrialization of agriculture and the rise of monocultures. With The Open Orchard, Van Aken brings many of these varieties back to life, giving New Yorkers the chance to see—and taste—fruits that have not been grown for dozens, if not hundreds, of years. The project stretches far beyond Governors Island; 102 trees are in a single public orchard located on the Island, with nearly 100 more spread in community gardens throughout the city.
2023
2022
2021
2018-2020
Nursery Maps
Renderings of the orchard at full growth
