Interactive Installation <Tree>/ 2022 NewYork, US
Artists: ShuainanYang, Siyang Bai, Qiyin Lin, Nana Liao
4*3*4m
Overview
"Tree" is a captivating multimedia interactive art installation that combines fans, textile fabrics, and projections. The installation was exhibited at 370 Jay Street in 2022. Drawing inspiration from the philosophical concept of the Eternal Return and the Buddhist concept of Samsara, and explores themes such as the finite and the infinite, the transient and the eternal, and the interconnectedness of individuals within the greater whole.
"What, if some day or night a demon were to steal after you into your loneliest loneliness and say to you: 'This life as you now live it and have lived it, you will have to live once more and innumerable times more; and there will be nothing new in it, but every pain and every joy and every thought and sigh and everything unutterably small or great in your life will have to return to you, all in the same succession and sequence—even this spider and this moonlight between the trees, and even this moment and I myself. The eternal hourglass of existence is turned upside down again and again, and you with it, speck of dust!'
-----Nietzsche， The Gay Science
By incorporating various artistic elements, <Tree> offers an immersive and captivating experience for its audience. The installation ingeniously combines textile fabrics and projections to create a captivating representation of a tree. Each frame captures a comprehensive panoramic view of the tree at a specific moment and is projected onto layered textile fabric composed of special materials, forming the central element of the installation. This meticulous composition enables viewers to witness the profound transformation of the tree across the four seasons, starting from barren branches, transitioning to vibrant greenery and blossoms, and ultimately returning to barrenness.
As viewers engage with or observe the installation, they become an integral part of the artistic experience. Their presence and movements affect the installation, causing the fabric to sway and flutter, enhancing the sense of immersion and interactivity. The installation also incorporates a computer-controlled ceiling fan that generates random gusts of wind at varying frequencies. Within the limited duration of each viewer's encounter, it is impossible to replicate the exact experience of others or even their own previous experiences. However, in the infinite expanse of time, history may cyclically repeat itself.
The installation prompts contemplation on the cyclic nature of existence, encouraging introspection about free will, personal choices, and the profound meaning of our existence. It urges viewers to reflect on the intricate interplay between individual lives and the broader interconnected whole, emphasizing that even when surface appearances remain the same, each iteration shares similarities yet possesses unique qualities. Even in the face of nihilism and the perpetual oscillation of life's cycles, <Tree> encourages a celebration and love for life.