Created by artist Monsieur Plant, Tree Hug is an outdoor installation presented in the grounds of the Maison Chateaubriand in Châtenay-Malabry as part of the Jardins Ouverts festival in Paris and the Île-de-France region. The work consists of a sculptural pair of planted arms wrapped around a tree trunk, creating a visual connection between the human body and the natural environment. Hence, reminding everyone about the importance of grounding, hugging a tree, or just spending time outdoors in nature.
Tree Hug Expands Monsieur Plant's Botanical Art Practice
Tree Hug is not an isolated artwork within Christophe Guinet's practice. Working under the name Monsieur Plant, the French botanical artist has spent years exploring the relationship between people and the natural world through sculptures that connect botanical materials with the human body. Previous works have transformed tree trunks into sculptural forms, created and imagined human figures gradually becoming trees, and incorporated living moss into installations that soften the distinction between organic life and sculpture. Tree Hug extends this ongoing investigation by focusing on one of the simplest human gestures: an act of holding and feeling.
A Temporary Installation That Changes With Every Tree
Unlike traditional public sculptures designed to stand independently, Tree Hug depends entirely on the living tree that supports it. Each pair of sculptural arms responds differently depending on the diameter, texture, and growth of the trunk, meaning no two installations appear exactly alike. The sculpture integrates with the landscape, keeping the living tree as the focal point while introducing a simple human gesture that encourages visitors to view it from a different perspective.
One of the distinctive aspects of earlier Tree Hug installations is the way they were produced. Previous editions featured casts of arms created in collaboration with residents, providing each installation with a direct human connection to the place where it was exhibited. The sculptures were then covered with preserved vegetation and installed around existing trees, reinforcing the idea that environmental awareness can be built through collective participation as much as through artistic expression.
Bringing People and Trees Together Through Sculpture
Although the work immediately attracts attention because of its unusual appearance, its intention is not simply to surprise visitors. Guinet frequently combines surreal imagery with environmental themes, using familiar objects or body parts in unexpected ways to encourage people to reconsider the role of nature in everyday life. In Tree Hug, the human arms introduce an emotional element into the landscape without altering the tree itself, allowing visitors to slow down and notice something they might otherwise pass without attention.
Although often associated with environmental activism, tree hugging has long been linked to the emotional connection people develop with nature. Studies in environmental psychology suggest that spending time around trees can help reduce stress, improve mood, and strengthen a person's sense of connection with the natural environment. Monsieur Plant's installation draws on this familiar gesture, transforming something many people do instinctively into a visual reminder of the relationship between humans and trees.
Take a closer look at another project by Monsieur Plant, featuring roots growing out of sneakers.
Photos: @monsieur_plant.
