T r e e S t u d y

2 0 0 7

M i x e d M e d i a

 

The piece sets out without necessarily involving trees or wind specifically but two living organisms moving equally, matching each other’s movements, the way a child clumsily imitates their elders as they learn; the way flocks of birds swoop and glide in harmony; or groups of fish darting when frightened.
The machine that attempts this replication plays an important part in the significance of this piece. The machine is what makes the two beings dissimilar. It forces motion rather than inviting it, causing the motion to be distinguishably mechanical.
Although the larger tree outside the gallery has now been in motion, and therefore “pupperted” for nearly 70 years, it is unable to realistically puppet its gallery bound sibling using this simple device.

 

 

Video taken during exhibition.