In this project in Los Angeles, California, Ruben Ochoa covered sections of wall along the I-10 interstate freeway with large panels of photographic wallpaper depicting the natural landscape as it might exist behind the wall. The perception of the work was dictated by traffic conditions, a daily experience that infects the psyche of many residents of Los Angeles. Drivers who were stuck in traffic were more likely to become aware of the illusion, while those who were speeding past were more likely to believe that the reveal was an actuality. For this intervention, Ochoa intentionally selected a site that lies within “an island of freeways” whose construction and use has left the surrounding community “torn and dissected.” Following the removal of the wallpaper, Ochoa installed it in a gallery setting. He suspended the wallpaper at a distance from the gallery walls, creating the impression of a new wall in the space. His manipulation of barriers in this body of work is a metaphor for the experience of immigrants, such as the Mexican diaspora, whose resilience and fortitude enable them to overcome cultural barriers. Learn more about this work in thisvideo interview with Ruben Ochoa.

In a series of photographs, Ruben Ochoa captures Ficus trees breaking through the sidewalks of Los Angeles. Ochoa’s parents immigrated from Mexico, and the non-native Ficus tree may be a metaphor for immigrants who break through barriers to secure a better future in the United States. The images also evoke our desire to civilize nature within the urban environment, and nature’s resistance to those efforts. Learn more about the history of Ficus trees in Los Angeles in this article. Trees play a vital role in the health of cities such as Los Angeles and planting the right trees has many benefits, as described in thispost from TreePeople.

In his exhibition entitled “Dislocated Masses,” Ruben Ochoa continues his exploration of basic construction materials and our heavy-handed approach to the built environment. As with much of his work, however, there is more to this exhibition than meets the eye. Ochoa created a body of work that is rich in connections to art history and reflective of an “interest in volumetric space, relative space and figure-ground relationships.” Learn more about the conceptual intent of the artist in these works, as well as their context in art history, in the exhibition press release.

In these works, Ruben Ochoa examines our desire to transform natural landscapes into flat platforms for the built environment. This traditional approach, which often requires excavation and a concrete foundation, uses a lot of energy, produces a lot of carbon dioxide and dramatically alters the contours of the landscape. As architects and builders endeavor to make construction more sustainable, they are finding opportunities throughout the design process to reduce environmental impact. The starting point, however, is to adapt the architecture to the natural landscape rather than the other way around.

Ruben Ochoa’s work reveals the heavy hand of humanity in the urban landscape and explores the potential for beauty in the basic raw materials of that landscape. If you are inspired by his work, you can take action in your own life. Select one or more pledges listed below and spread the word. You can also learn more by visiting our Pledge Center. Let’s #EndOvershoot and care for our #OneEarth.