As the holiday season settles over New York City, the metropolis once again becomes a site of collective ritual. From Fifth Avenue’s illuminated storefronts to Central Park dusted in early snow, familiar symbols signal a temporary shift in the city’s rhythm. This year, with snowfall arriving early in December, the atmosphere feels especially attuned to moments of shared experience, both expected and unexpected. One such moment unfolds above the East River on the terrace of DUMBO House, where multidisciplinary artist Derrick Adams has installed Tree Huggers, an interactive installation that reframes the Christmas tree as a figure of play. Overlooking the Manhattan skyline and the Brooklyn Bridge, the installation introduces a surreal yet tender presence into the urban winter landscape.
Composed of thirty illuminated Christmas trees, each standing with open, outstretched arms, Tree Huggers transforms a familiar holiday icon into something distinctly anthropomorphic. The trees appear poised mid-embrace, forming a loose maze across the terrace—less a decorative arrangement than an invitation to linger and engage.
A Forest of Gesture and Color
Derrick Adams, “Tree Huggers,” 2025. Courtesy of Derrick Adams and DUMBO House.
Derrick Adams, “Tree Huggers,” 2025. Courtesy of Derrick Adams and DUMBO House.
At closer range, the individuality of each tree becomes apparent. Their arms are wrapped in an eclectic mix of fabrics, colors, and patterns—stripes, polka dots, cheetah prints—introducing warmth and visual rhythm against the subdued palette of winter architecture and steel-grey skies. The diversity of materials suggests the varied textures of human connection itself, reinforcing Adams’ long-standing interest in identity, community, and presence.
Though uprooted from the ground, each tree is anchored by a sturdy metal structure attached to its trunk, allowing it to stand firm against snow, rain, and biting winter winds.
Play as Artistic Strategy from Derrick Adams
Derrick Adams, “Tree Huggers,” 2025. Courtesy of Derrick Adams and DUMBO House.
Walking through Tree Huggers evokes the imaginative worlds often conjured in childhood—when objects came alive, and environments felt charged with possibility. Adams has frequently animated forms in his practice, particularly in works aimed at younger audiences, but here that impulse is recalibrated for a broader public. The installation invites physical interaction without instruction, encouraging viewers to move through it intuitively rather than reverently.
“I see it as an opportunity to play a bit more than I can in my paintings,” Adams told Whitewall. “Audience engagement is much different in this installation than with my 2D work or even some of my other sculptural pieces.”
Unlike paintings, which operate within fixed boundaries, Tree Huggers exists in a constant state of flux. Its meaning shifts with weather, light, and movement, shaped by those who pass through it. The work is inherently ephemeral—never quite the same from one moment to the next—positioning participation as an essential component of its form.
Whimsy, Community, and Adult Space
Derrick Adams, “Tree Huggers,” 2025. Courtesy of Derrick Adams and DUMBO House.
At its core, Tree Huggers is a meditation on community. While the holidays are often framed as a time of togetherness, urban life can feel defined by distance and transience. Adams’ embracing trees gently counter that reality, offering a visual and spatial reminder of connection in a setting largely oriented toward adults.
“I’m happy to be able to add a component of whimsy and cheer in an environment geared toward adults,” Adams said. “We can all use a bit of frivolity these days.”
The sentiment feels particularly resonant. As people age, they often find themselves responsible for creating holiday magic rather than experiencing it firsthand. Tree Huggers reclaims that sense of wonder without nostalgia, offering lightness without sentimentality.
Soho Winterland at DUMBO House
Derrick Adams, “Tree Huggers,” 2025. Courtesy of Derrick Adams and DUMBO House.
Throughout December, Tree Huggers anchors Soho Winterland at DUMBO House, a season-long program that extends the installation’s convivial spirit. Guests can warm up with winter market fare such as soft pretzels and sausage rolls, alongside festive drinks by Johnnie Walker, Mr. Black, and Seedlip, including spiced cider and hot toddies served from terrace chalets.
Additional programming includes holiday vinyl nights, carolers, visits from Santa, and festive drink masterclasses, transforming the terrace into a gathering place animated by art, food, and seasonal ritual. Together, the installation and its surrounding experiences offer a rare holiday pause.
