"To See the Forest and The Trees" is a special collaborative artwork created by researcher Shu-Hui Wu from Taiwan Forestry Research Institute, and Taiwan artist Tzu-Fen Lin. The artwork consists of two units, one of which is made by an artist, using aluminum wire to weave and wrap, and the twigs are made of recycled wires to string tree tags. The trunk can be seen in the shape of the Ficus benjamina twining at random, and the branches have the appearance of the phyllotaxy and fruits of the Coast Persimmon. On the other hand, participants will work hands-on to shape the recycled wires and tree tags into unique branches that will develop a collective and diverse imagination of the forest.

 

While the researcher Shu-Hui Wu was conducting field research, she collected the numbered signboards of tree names that had fallen off or belonged to dead trees. The number on signboards represent every single tree and its identity in the sampling area. Signboards which are covered with sludge and moss that have fallen on the forest floor serve as a sign of a dead tree and another new-born one. As for the researchers, the special numbers have indicated with a large amount of scientific data and information, regarding the process of changes in Kenting Uplifted Coral Reef Nature Reserve.

 

Through every single piece of the signboards, the ecologists are able to know the location of trees, observing their state and the complex relationships between the species in the forests. They see the whole picture by gaining a deeper understanding of trees.

 

Artist Tzu-Fen Lin imagined that each signboard stands for a living tree. The image of an extending network created by the interweaving tree roots shares the same implication with Tree of Life (Cabala). It connects the forms of every creation and becomes a concept of open collective consciousness.

 

Located in Sheding, Taiwan, the geologic structure of Kenting Uplifted Coral Reef Nature Reserve is mainly composed of raised coral reefs covered with forests. After the environmental protection act in 1994, the region has been kept under surveillance by the Forestry Research Institute, research groups from Tunghai University (THU) and National Dong Hwa University (NDHU). So far, they have arranged a 10 hectares sampling area for monitoring forest dynamics. According to the research, the trees mostly consist of Ebenaceae, especially Diospyros maritima. Besides, Ficus benjamina and other prop roots have grown all over the crevices between coral rocks and limestone, creating a unique terrain and eco landscape.

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Materials: Aluminum wire, recycled cable wire, tree tags

Size: 100x80x150cm

Year:2022
 

tree tags were given from Shu-Hui Wu,Taiwan Forestry Research Institute

special thanks to Trevor Padgett

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WAGIWAGI 

Curator｜Yipei Lee

Artist｜How HO, Anchi Lin [Ciwas Tahos], Hsin-Chieh Hung, Kay Hung & Orbit Lin, TFRI Shu-Hui Wu & Tzu-Fen Lin, Chih-Hua Huang, Yi-Pin Huang, Bagus Pandega ＆ Kei Imazu, Celyn Bricker, Aliansyah Caniago, Sharo Liang, Wei-Chieh Huang, Ke-Ting Chen

Organization｜SUAVEART

Co-organization｜Jatiwangi art Factory, Taimei Educational Foundation, K.A.T (Kio-A-Thau) Bywood, CLUSTER & Associates, Jui-Mao Huang + TamKang Architecture USR