MANIFESTO is an installation traces a journey through Pasadena, capturing the transformation of the environment from the natural landscapes of Hahamongna Watershed Park to the urbanized settings of the city. Hahamongna, meaning "Flowing Waters, Fruitful Valley" in the native Tongva language, is a vital ecological treasure within Los Angeles — a region defined by its precarious relationship with water. The park's diverse ecosystems serve as a crucial habitat for flora and fauna while providing a natural reservoir in this desert city.


By presenting this journey, the project invites viewers to consider the fragility and resilience of these landscapes. It prompts questions about the cost of urban expansion, the significance of preserving natural habitats like Hahamongna Watershed Park, and our collective role in shaping and protecting the environments we inhabit.

Guided by the river's path, I documented the evolving textures of the landscape using a portable scanner, capturing tactile imprints of both organic and human-made environments. As the route progressed southward, the scenery shifted dramatically — from the raw vitality of nature to the rigid artificial urban structures. These scanned textures, now woven into the installation, reveal a layered narrative of environmental transformation, reflecting the complex interplay between natural ecosystems and human development.