Justen Ladda's Decade-Long Garden Labor on Lower East Side Blends Scholar's Rocks and Urban Ecology

For ten years, artist Justen Ladda has maintained a public garden on the Allen Street Mall south of Delancey Street on New York's Lower East Side, where he works daily without pay. He imports scholar's rocks from China, viewing them as early forms of abstraction that resonate with his Bauhaus-influenced education in Germany. Ladda's meticulous care includes planting bulbs, watering, and picking up trash, creating a zone of calm despite heavy traffic and civic neglect. His studio practice involves applying over a hundred layers of photosensitive pigment to wood, creating patterns reminiscent of Chinese landscapes. The garden functions as a curated space similar to his installations, with Ladda noting that gardening requires different mastery than studio work where he maintains total control. Scholar's rocks at the site connect to the area's Chinese community, referencing a local antique shop run by Mr. Wong where Ladda selected the stones. The rocks' placement dialogues with the upcoming Pat Passlof and Milton Resnick Foundation opening in a reclaimed synagogue on Eldridge Street. Ladda envisions future rose tunnels along bike paths that would engulf riders in blooms, though he acknowledges only a small percentage of park visitors truly appreciate the space.