A 'sustainable' installation: here is the (Sonic)Tree resonating with your own body.
"TellMe Forest" and "Sonic Tree": the artist enquires nature about the-why of-things.
"Foresta Dimmi (TellMe Forest)" was a site-specific installation by Marco Guglielmi Reimmortal (https://reimmortal.com/) for the Church of Misericordia in Venice in November 2017, during the finissage of Venice Biennale. The artwork investigates the decline of social, economic and scientific systems whereof only nature escapes. The artist addresses to nature a pressing question in the form of a copper structure modeled as a question mark named “TellMe”. Under the vault of the medieval starry roof, the “TellMe” stood to manifest the urgency of an incessant enquiry about the-why of-things.
Marco Guglielmi Reimmortal, "Foresta Dimmi (TellMe Forest)". Installation. Chiesa dell'Abbazia della Misericordia, Venice. Courtesy by 11 [HellHeaven] Art Gallery ©2017
In a further step, the artist turn the question about the why-of-things directly to nature itself, en plein air. It is a silent question in a non-verbal language which is – first and foremost – an energetic and emotional exchange. The artwork intends to shed light on the “difficult paradox” (as the artist himself describes it ) of using words – an arbitrary invention for social interplay pretending to describe emotions and replace sensitiveness.
“Foresta Dimmi” is based on the ideas of sustainability, environmental preservation, biodiversity giving shape to a relationship between nature and culture as a synergistic system where the respect of all forms of life prevails.
”Sonic Tree" represents a further evolution of "Forest Dimmi". The interaction between ecosystem and human being becomes even closer, requiring an effective cooperation.
Marco Guglielmi Reimmortal, Project for "Albero Sonico (Sonic Tree)". Installation. Courtesy by 11 [HellHeaven] Art Gallery ©2018
The Sonic Tree responds to the visitor with sounds captured by special sensors. A majestic tree now dry is the focus of the installation. The visitor is invited to "hug" the tree, in order to activate multiple sensors responding to the contact with sounds. The tree becomes anode (-) in an electrochemical process whereof the visitor's body is the cathode (+). At the same time hundreds of “Dimmi” hanging on the branches generate sounds in relation to the pressure of touch. The whole tree, from the trunk to the branches, responds to the frequency of the body intertwining a dialogue now subtle, now powerful in a polyphonic ‘crescendo’.
The Sonic Tree is a sound exploration, and at the same time a reflection on communicativeness and on meta-linguistic interactions between living beings. Sound is the most basic communication medium allowing an immediate reciprocal influence that goes far beyond formal language. Frequencies act as a means to stimulate otherwise impossible communication, and activate an infinitely deeper understanding of our reality.
