2021 Exhibition
20. Ghost Trees
Artist Information
Created by visualising and sonifying big data-sets provided by TERN (Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network). Ghost Trees brings to life the endangered Rushworth Forest, (Victoria, Australia) in the lands of the Ngurai-illam-wurrung people.
These datasets are ephemeral yet fixed recordings of dying ecosystems; digital memories of disappearing landscapes, echoes of our lost environment.
LIDAR scans take the viewpoint of someone within the landscape and from within the limbs of the trees – we become part of the organism.
Eco acoustic site recordings are studied and processed to reveal the inherent musicality of the forest and its inhabitants.
Melodic elements are generated from the trees spatial data points – the forest is singing.
The work strives to re-imagine and re-experience our connection to the wonder and awe of the natural environment through art, data, science and technology. The use of digital technologies – the new and thriving ecosystem – offers a counterpoint to the endangered natural environment and a doorway through which to remotely experience it in an entirely new way.
Visit the Artwork on our map here: https://dlectricity.com/map/#20.
Nature as Data (James McGrath & Gary Sinclair)
Nature as Data is an ongoing creative collaboration between James McGrath and Gary Sinclair.
Their exploratory work continues to evolve and morph while retaining the core themes of data, environment, science and art.
natureasdata.com
James McGrath is an architect and painter. Over the past three decades he has explored the meeting point between art, architecture,theatre and new media. He trained as a painter assisting Patrick Betaudier (Paris) and Arthur Boyd (Australia). His work is motivated by the differences and tensions in the marriage of painting and 3D video.
His digital installations and videos commissioned by several Australian museums and subsequently presented at the Los Angeles J. Paul Getty Museum in 2000. In 1999 and 2000 his work was included in the Sydney and New York film festivals. He has lectured in architecture at New South Wales University, where he was awarded the Australian Postgraduate Award. McGrath has exhibited in New York, London, Sydney, Hong Kong , Toronto and Paris.
james-mcgrath.com
Gary Sinclair is a music composer, sound designer and sound artist living in Sydney. Currently working in public art, experiential projects and science storytelling. Exploring the spaces between music, sound design, art and science.
tactilemusic.com