Martorell fans surrounded the artist throughout the party, waiting patiently for a chance to meet and get autographs from the gregarious and expressive artist, often seen talking with a little help from his hands. Using thousands of discarded boxes, packaging and colorful paint, Martorell, with help from the Rice community, students and the Puerto Rican community, transformed the gallery into the cardboard fantasy exhibit. Beginning in December, volunteers dropped off boxes of all shapes and sizes in the gallery foyer. Boxes and packaging for the project were also solicited from local businesses. Boxes that once shipped California oranges, Sony cordless phones and papayas are part of the giant tree that branches throughout the gallery.
Shredded cardboard serves as the garden's mulch.
Impressions of branches and leaves cover gallery walls. About 50 volunteers, plus a senior class from the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, volunteered their time. Following the artist's instructions, they were allowed to put their personal artistic spin on the project as well. Numerous television and newspaper features on the project also helped put the exhibit in the limelight and could account for the tremendous Garden Party turnout. The artist first received an invitation to show his work at Rice a couple of years ago.