Tree Sensorium
Year: 2016
Material: Brick, resin, artificial intelligence
Size: 10'x12'
Question: Can a network of artifical trees mimic the experience of natural forest for the trees?
About Tree Sensorium
"Tree Sensorium" is a fascinating artwork that was completed by XenoFluff in 2016. It is an extensive installation that combines a surreal array of materials, artificial intelligence, and performative rituals, which seeks to explore and simulate the sensory experiences of trees.
Involving an intricate network of tree-like sculptures fashioned from brick and resin, the artificial arboreal forms are designed to mimic natural woodland settings. Accompanied by complementary paintings and LED lighting installations, XenoFluff manipulates light, color, and form within the space to invoke the qualities of a forest. Generative artwork adds another dynamic element, constantly evolving the visual tapestry of the installation.
A significant facet of "Tree Sensorium" is its investigation of 'qualia', which are the subjective or qualitative properties of experiences. The aim is to provide an immersive perspective into what it may feel like to be a tree - a question that maps onto philosophical inquiries surrounding consciousness and sentience in non-human entities. This adds a profound depth to the installation, urging viewers to contemplate their inherent connection and interdependence with the natural world, even as they navigate through a space comprising largely of artificial constructs.
The performative part of the exhibition involves fiery rituals and the attempted summoning of 'cybernetic raccoons' using Goetic magic, an ancient practice concerning the summoning and binding of spirits. This adds an aura of mystic to the installation, further blurring the lines between the natural and the artificial, the familiar and the alien, thus enhancing the overall sensory impact of the installation.
"Tree Sensorium" is a product of XenoFluff's innovative use of mixed media, and their signature infusion of cutting-edge technology with traditional elements of art making. Interdisciplinary and rich in conceptual content, it encapsulates the artist's continual exploration of complex themes concerning nature, technology, consciousness, and human perception. In doing so, it provides both an engaging sensory experience and food for deep cognitive rumination, a hallmark of truly meaningful contemporary art.
