Forests are considered the lungs of the planet. Trees absorb the carbon dioxide that humans produce and humans breathe in the oxygen that trees produce. I wanted to create an installation of a ‘forest of breathing trees.’ A tree will begin to brighten then inflate and deflate as if it is breathing when a person walks past it or sits by it, overlaid by the sounds of breathing. It is like the human is providing the tree with carbon dioxide so it comes to life and the tree provides oxygen to the human.
The trees are in the shape of lungs, upside down and rooted into the ground. There is a landscape for the user to traverse to give the impression of walking through a natural forest, like the room split into smaller sections or the undulating ramp. There is variation in the sizes of the trees, each one breathing at different rates once triggered. The digital aesthetic of the tree is a reminder of the importance of nature in our technology filled world, a juxtaposition of nature and technology. The installation can also be used as a relaxation space for the user. The trees are triggered via a motion sensor as someone walks past.