When fire, photosynthesis unite: CIA student Ryan Garcia bridges art, science at Holden Arboretum

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  Science and Technology on Wed, Oct 22nd, 2025 by Cleveland.com

When Fire Meets Photosynthesis: A Cleveland Art Student’s Bold Experiment at Holden Arboretum

A quiet clearing in the northeast corner of the Holden Arboretum became the stage for an unexpected fusion of flame and foliage, as Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA) student Ryan Garcia brought his latest project—When Fire Photosynthesis Unite—to life on a sunny Saturday afternoon. What began as a conceptual exploration of ecological cycles quickly turned into a living laboratory that drew both art aficionados and environmental scientists to its doorstep.

The Spark of an Idea

Ryan Garcia’s fascination with the relationship between fire and plant life started during a field trip to a National Park Service ranger station in 2024. “I was looking at the way a wildfire can devastate an ecosystem but also clear out dead material, allowing new growth,” he explains. “It’s a paradox: fire destroys but also fuels new life.” That paradox became the seed for a multidisciplinary project that straddles the boundary between aesthetic experience and ecological education.

In early 2025, Garcia secured a fellowship from the CIA’s Environmental Art Initiative, which encourages students to create works that address pressing environmental issues. The fellowship provided not only funding but also access to the Arboretum’s research facilities, a team of botanists, and a controlled burn permit that would later become the centerpiece of his installation.

From Concept to Canvas

The installation is a two-part exhibit: a series of large, high-resolution photographs that capture the slow, almost imperceptible process of photosynthesis in trees that have recently experienced fire, and an interactive, sound‑and‑light sculpture that uses pyrotechnics to mimic the chemical pathways of photosynthesis.

The photographs, taken over a 12‑month period by Garcia in collaboration with the Arboretum’s conservation staff, show the gradual return of chlorophyll to burn‑scarred bark. “Seeing the green creep back in those blackened trees was proof that life is resilient,” says Dr. Eleanor Hughes, director of the Arboretum’s Environmental Studies program. The images are printed on weather‑resistant panels and arranged in a circular layout, allowing visitors to walk around and observe the transformation from all angles.

The second component—dubbed the “Fire‑Light Engine”—features a series of small, controlled burns that occur at 9:00 a.m., noon, and 3:00 p.m. The flames are carefully regulated to keep temperatures below 400 °F, ensuring that they do not damage the surrounding vegetation. As the fire crackles, sensors capture the CO₂ and O₂ concentrations, feeding data to a projection screen that visualizes the photosynthetic cycle in real time. Viewers can hear the rhythmic crackling of the fire juxtaposed against the low, steady hum of a solar‑powered turbine that powers the installation.

“It’s a living, breathing piece,” Garcia says, “and it forces people to confront the paradox of fire as both destructive and creative.”

The Science Behind the Art

Fire and photosynthesis may appear to be opposing forces, but ecologists explain that certain plant species actually rely on periodic fires to trigger germination. Garcia’s project highlights this by featuring the post‑burn regeneration of Pinus ponderosa and Quercus rubra, species native to the Arboretum’s woodlands.

“Fire opens up the canopy, reduces competition, and releases nutrients into the soil,” notes Dr. Hughes. “The photosynthetic response is rapid and can be observed almost immediately.” The data collected during the controlled burns—photosynthetic rates, stomatal conductance, and leaf temperature—are displayed in a live data stream on the projection screen, allowing visitors to see the scientific metrics behind the visual spectacle.

In addition to the live data, Garcia’s team provided a QR code at each panel that links to an interactive web app. Visitors can upload their own photos of fire or plant life and see how the app models the impact of fire on photosynthesis in their local environment. The interactive component is a nod to the CIA’s emphasis on digital media, encouraging audiences to engage with the content beyond the physical exhibit.

Community Response and Future Plans

The opening of When Fire Photosynthesis Unite was attended by more than 1,200 people, including local school groups, environmental activists, and art critics. A press release from the Cleveland Journal of Science highlighted the exhibit as a “bridge between art and ecological research.” In a panel discussion that followed the opening, Garcia explained how his experience at the Arboretum shaped his future ambitions.

“I want to continue creating art that prompts people to think about the natural cycles that sustain us,” he says. “And I hope to collaborate with scientists on more projects that merge visual storytelling with data.”

The Arboretum has announced plans to expand the exhibit into a year‑long residency program, inviting other artists and scientists to create works that explore fire, regeneration, and the intricate dance between destruction and renewal. The program will also host workshops on safe fire practices, plant ecology, and the use of data visualization in public art.

Linking Art, Science, and Public Engagement

Garcia’s project underscores a growing trend in contemporary art that seeks to dissolve the artificial divide between creative expression and empirical research. By using fire—a symbol of destruction—to showcase the resilience of photosynthesis, the installation challenges visitors to reconsider the role of fire in ecosystems and in human culture.

The exhibit’s success also highlights the importance of public institutions like the Holden Arboretum in fostering interdisciplinary dialogue. By providing a safe, controlled environment for experimentation, the Arboretum has become a living laboratory where art students and scientists can collaborate on projects that benefit both the local community and the planet at large.

As the Arboretum’s director, Dr. Hughes, reflected in her post‑exhibit statement: “Ryan Garcia has reminded us that art can be a powerful tool for science communication. When people see a burning tree sprouting new leaves, they don’t just look—they learn.”

With When Fire Photosynthesis Unite, Ryan Garcia has set a new benchmark for how art and science can co‑create experiences that are simultaneously aesthetic, educational, and profoundly thought‑provoking. The next time you pass through a forest, you may think differently about the fire you see—perhaps as a promise of new growth rather than a mere threat.