One palm emerges from the roof of a gas station. Another appears from the confines of a car showroom. Photographer Sebasatián Mejía navigates the city of Santiago, Chile, recording trees growing in surprising places. Highlighting a tension between humans and the landscape, the images explore the unexpected results of urban design. The images are on view in Trees, the latest exhibition at Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain, Paris.

At a time when woodlands are threatened by deforestation, the show highlights the biological importance of trees to the world’s natural and built environments. Bringing together a community of artists, botanists and philosophers, the presentation echoes new scientific research surrounding the sensory, memory and communication capacities of plant life. Trees features works from Giuseppe Penone, Raymond Depardon, Agnès Varda and many more.

12 July-10 November. Find out more here.

Credits:
1. Sebastián Mejía, Araucaria (Santiago, Chili), 2012. Artists collection, Santiago, Chile © Sebastián Mejí.
2. Sebastián Mejía, Series Quasi Oasis 17 (Avenida Simón Bolívar, Santiago, Chili), 2012. Artists collection, Santiago, Chile © Sebastián Mejía
3. Sebastián Mejía, Arbol y Apoyo (Patronato, Santiago, Chili), 2012. Collection of the artist, Santiago, Chile. © Sebastián Mejía
4. Sebastián Mejía, Series Quasi Oasis 07 (Irarràzabal, Santiago, Chili), 2013. Artists collection, Santiago, Chile. © Sebastián Mejía.