When I think about 2020, I see two things. The first is the pandemic with its social distancing measures. The second is the collective effort and need among people to come together using digital technologies and support each other. This is also evident in the art world, where many art programmes have been launched to support artists and creatives. “Be-coming Tree” is one of them! An artist-led ecological initiative born to give visibility to artists whose practice share kin bonds with trees. Through a grassroots organisation, the project explores and examines strategies for artists to connect with audiences online while collectively contributing to the care and conservation of trees and woodlands, the lungs of the earth. 🌲🌳 🌲

The initiative originated from a performance by the Slovenian artist Jatun Risba which took place at the end of April. From there, Risba was joined by two British artists, Danielle Imara and O. Pen Be, and “Be-coming Tree” developed into a collective project promoted and operated through the homonymous Facebook page. Over these past few months, the collective launched a series of open calls inviting artists to share and promote their artworks in the virtual window that the page offered. In this way, “Be-coming Tree” soon became a platform where artists and creatives can interact and foster kinship with trees while sharing ideas and works which could be freely accessed by all users.

On 1st of August and 31st of October, two “Be-coming Tree” art events went live on Zoom using its by-now-familiar conference call format. On both occasions, and in line with the projects’ idea, the participating artists joined the meeting and live-streamed their communion with local trees and plants. The events were also open to the public who could attend the virtual conference upon payment of a donation ticket whose proceeds will be devolved into tree planting to help forests’ restoration.

From the 2nd Be-coming Tree Live Art Event press release:

“The 2nd Be-Coming Tree durational Live

Art event encompasses 20 live-streamed

performances with and about trees happening

simultaneously across the globe. Viewed on

the same screen via a shared Zoom conference,

this multitude of artistic actions offers

audiences an experience of entanglement with

nature through technology. Be-Coming Tree

is a one-hour global artistic event embracing

a perspective of interspecies kinship and

grassroots decentralisation.”

I joined the 2nd event in October, during which twenty international artists connected to the internet and live-streamed their performances. Private gardens, trees, woodlands, potted plants, pruned branches and outdoor spaces were the protagonists of the stages, and the performers played in and around them. For the whole hour, each artist communed and coexisted in harmony with plants and trees through dances, meditations, rituals, and walks. There was a reverential atmosphere which conveyed a sense of unity to the myriad of performances.

By using social media and free platforms like Zoom, “Be-coming Tree” generated a passionate tribe of artists and supporters. It strikes me how, by investing zero capital and with no institutional support, Risba, Imara, and O. Pen Be successfully created a social platform. A digital space which provides not only opportunities for people to gather and re-establish ancestral connections with trees but also tangible ways to give visibility to artists worldwide and fund tree planting. “Be-coming Tree” demonstrates how artists, through their work, can contribute to building a better future for all the living organisms, equally. In fact, it proves there are, and always will be, ways to come together, support each other, and make an impact in the world.

 

The third event will be on 9th January 2021 and the open call to participate is now live! 🌲 🌳🌲