Nana’s Garden

June 8, 2025 through September 20, 2025

Nana’s Garden

Escape the heat and immerse yourself in a stunning fusion of culture, tradition, and innovation at Kira Dominguez Hultgren’s temporary art installation. As part of ¡Sombra! Experiments in Shade, Kira draws from the vibrant legacy of Mexican “tejidos” (crochet nana squares, lace and woven fans). The creation of a colorful 7′ x 20′ fabric wall, offers much-needed shade at the Maryvale Park baseball field. This geometric-floral crochet awning, woven with UV-resistant polyester and nylon threads, not only cools, but captivates.

“Fencing materials are everywhere – along walkways and in city public parks. From chain link to rod iron fences, I see this project as building a case for the city to reimagine fences as opportunities for shade.”

Kira Dominguez Hultgren

Project Description

Nana’s Garden merges social and environmental justice by highlighting tejido (crochet, knitted, sewn, and woven fabrics) as a culturally significant art practice often found in homes but rarely in art spaces. Inspired by the artwork of the Maryvale community’s nanas, the temporary installation transforms the baseball diamond’s backstop into a banner of geometric-floral woven, embroidered, and crochet patterns, commonly associated with Mexican lace or “tejidos” (the granny square).

The installation reimagines fences by adding permeable fabrics, turning them into functional, low-cost structures that provide shade while maintaining their original purpose. By incorporating industrial-grade plastics and experimenting with bioplastics, Nana’s Garden points to the future of sustainable materials, allowing residents to see the impact of Phoenix’s climate on these new plastics. While the bioplastic elements will break down over time, the installation’s durable materials will continue to provide shade.