FLUSHING, NY, February 7, 2019 –The Crystal Foundation, the philanthropic arm of national manufacturer Crystal Window & Door Systems, unveiled its latest art exhibit on February 4, 2019, the eve of the Asian Lunar New Year, at the Crystal headquarters in Flushing, NY. The modern art creation -The Tree of Hope is an homage to the sport of baseball with an eye toward environmental consciousness and world unity.
The Tree of Hope is a 25-ft. tall structure with an 8-ft. diameter base comprised of baseballs from around the world and illuminated by 10,000 energy efficient LED lights. Over 30 countries have contributed 25,000 baseballs, some new but most used in actual games from Little Leagues to the Major Leagues. Professional U.S. teams such as The Mets, Phillies, Orioles, and Yankees have donated baseballs for this project, along with teams from Canada, Latin America, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Europe, and more, with many of the balls signed by baseball legends and entire teams. Symbolizing the unity and positive energy that art and sports bring to the world, the Tree of Hope project has been two years in the making from concept to installation. It is planned that the Tree of Hope will be on exhibit at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo at the baseball events.
“As a long-time supporter of the arts, I am very pleased to sponsor the Tree of Hope and its creator, Lin Shih-Pao,” said Crystal Foundation Chairman Thomas Chen, who is also the Chairman and Founder of Crystal Windows. “I feel the true hidden value of this contemporary work is the incredible international response to Lin’s invitation to donate baseballs to the project. Countries from around the world are represented here in the spirit of unity and hope, as its lighting ushers in the Lunar New Year.”
| The Crystal Foundation, philanthropic arm of manufacturer Crystal Window & Door Systems, sponsored art exhibit Tree of Hope, with 25,000 donated baseballs from 30 countries around the world as a symbol of the unifying power of sports and art. |
World-renowned Taiwanese artist Lin Shih-Pao, who brings thought-provoking works of art to life from discarded and recycled materials, is the Tree of Hope creator. Mr. Lin is also the artist-in-residence at Crystal Park, Thomas Chen and The Crystal Foundation’s 200-acre art and nature preserve in Dutchess County, NY. Mr. Lin has exhibited extensively throughout Japan, Taiwan, and New York; he studied art in college in Japan and at graduate school at NYU.
The Crystal Foundation was established in 2002by the Chen Family to support art, culture and educational initiatives. In the New York area alone, the non-profit has supported exhibits at Flushing Town Halland Queens Museum, and Queensborough Community College art and education programs.
