Of the Oak

“We aim to plant acorns in the human imagination. Informed by science and created in collaboration with researchers, the project blends art, ecology, and technology to reveal the oak not merely as a tree, but as a living nexus of connection and reciprocity. The artwork serves as a portal into the intricate and often unseen world pulsating within the oak’s magnificent structure, celebrating its ecological significance and the myriad forms of life it supports throughout its existence.” Ersin Han Ersin from Marshmallow Laser Feast

The work centers on the Lucombe oak, one of Kew’s oldest trees, and uses advanced imaging technologies to visualize the tree’s internal structures and ecological functions. The 6-metre-high LED portal displays a 12-minute animation showing the oak’s seasonal changes and its connections to thousands of dependent species. Visitors can interact with the visuals through movement and access a guided meditation to synchronize their breathing with the tree’s rhythms. The project combines art, science, and technology to provide a factual, multisensory experience of the oak’s hidden world.

No AI has been used to create Of the Oak. :) The project uses advanced scientific methods, including LiDAR scanning, high-resolution photogrammetry, CT scanning, and ground-penetrating radar, to create a detailed digital double of the oak, including its root system.