June 2011, an article in dutch newspaper 'de Volkskrant' stated that 'today's city people are just as sensitive and irritable as a stressed test-animal'. Fortunately, research proved that nature and green - even a representation of it - is enough to calm down the stressed brain. 

Happy Faces focuses on the interaction between man and nature in the city. Each Happy Face is a unique infographic of one of the top 10 monumental trees located in Rotterdam. Bundled as a booklet, they form a city-guide to locate and visit the trees. A tree can be recognized by a sign which is placed in front of it.

The physical masks mirror - in an interactive way - the mental state of city people and the effect nature can have on them. The purchase cost of a Happy Face would be donated to the national tree-foundation. 

Using the city-guide, the top 10 monumental trees can be located and their biological and geographical information can be read of the trees' corresponding Happy Face. 

Visiting the tree, as well as the act of giving the mask a 'happy face', serves as a reminder that physical action is needed to connect ourselves to our environment.

The back of each mask provides background information about its corresponding tree. It also contains the story of why that specific tree is a unique monumental tree.

All ten trees and their descriptions can be found in the booklet. However, to see and experience the trees... you will need to go outside and find them.