Fallow Frames, 2023

A tree bed is a small plot of land carved out from the solid pavement of the sidewalk—a common sight across neighborhoods in New York City. While many nurture trees, plants, and vegetation, a significant number are neglected — abandoned corners in a city that typically puts great value on space. Ubiquitous yet enigmatic, they appear like gaps or voids in the city's concrete landscape with questions about their nature and purpose. In 2023, Alexa Hoyer has been mapping and documenting these spaces in various states of dereliction, capturing a unique perspective on NYC's distinctive topography. The exposed earth, sometimes weathered and strewn with debris, becomes a canvas for contemplation, unveiling new layers of meaning within the material of our everyday environments.

NEWS: Hyperallergic - Documenting Ridgewood’s Abandoned Tree Beds
NEWS: Urban Omnibus - In Absentia

Fallow Frames walking tour: