Whispering Trees

By definition, we might be tempted to say that forests are places of quietness, of deep silence in which we immerse ourselves to escape the usual noise surrounding us. Upon entering the forest, a feeling of awe takes hold, and our gaze is easily captivated by the vegetal spectacle created by plant species interacting with each other and with the ever-changing light and airflow. Sound, in these circumstances, might seem secondary, yet it is ever-present: autumn leaves crackle underfoot, the wind shakes the heavy branches, and, during our walk, we catch fragments of bird conversations. Here, we often feel disconnected from the outside world. A warm solitude embraces us. But we are not the only ones who have walked these paths. Many have been here before us, and many will continue to come long after we are gone. The trees lining these trails, standing in silent vigil for centuries, have borne witness to the passage of time in ways we can hardly comprehend. Their bark holds the memory of changing climates, of battles fought, and of lovers who carved their names into the wood. Their roots reach deep into history, entwining with the footsteps of those who sought shelter, wisdom, or simple escape beneath their canopies. Even though they do not speak in words, they carry stories within their rings. Since the dawn of time, nature has been more than a passive witness to history; it has been an inspiration, a muse shaping the way we tell our own tales. The same forests that now offer us solitude once fuelled the myths of ancient civilizations, guided the hands of artists, and stirred the minds of poets and philosophers. They are silent encyclopaedias, filled with knowledge beyond human understanding, and even if we cannot always decipher their messages, we are constantly influenced by their presence. Technical details: The interactive installation Whispering Trees proposes a scenario that, to a certain extent, recreates the experience of walking through a forest. From a technical standpoint, the work consists of five cylindrical LCD screens, varying in height and circumference, along with speakers. Visually, the 'trees' display abstract videos that evoke different types of light filtering through layers of leaves. Stories about the local forest, as recalled by the villagers, along with scientific data about the forest and national stories and poems about trees are recorded and integrated into the installation. The recorded material about the forest is heard as whispers, softly spoken by different voices, coming from various parts of the installation. The exhibition is part of the CO-VISION project, which explores the relationship between humans and nature, with a particular focus on the local significance of the Someșul Mic River. Co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union.