Trees can live for more than 1,000 years, and current climate models predict climate change of just over 100 years in the future. What will happen then? A collaboration between the EPFL Plant Ecology Research Lab (PERL), performance artist Maja Renn and designer and artist Krzysztof Wronski has given rise to a speculative journey through time and into the near future of indigenous trees.
Exhibition views
Photos: Julien Gremaud
What role do trees play in human society? Are they seen as building materials, CO2 reservoirs or living beings? How are trees adapting to climate change? Can technology support this adaptation process? And what can humans learn from trees?
Krzysztof Wronski's multimedia installations explore how living trees can be given extended possibilities for action and abilities. The artist's prototypes and interventions are intended to serve trees and at the same time scrutinise the relationships between humans and living organisms that are struggling with the climate crisis.
The performative installation [Pheno]Plasticity by artist Maja Renn describes scientific findings on the property of phenotypic plasticity, i.e. the ability of organisms to form different shapes in response to environmental conditions.
The research of the Plant Ecology Research Lab under the direction of Prof Charlotte Grossiord shows the latest research on the physiological and ecological reactions of terrestrial ecosystems to global change.
The transdisciplinary exhibition Arboreal Futures is part of the Dear2050 series and combines science with art and design to present the speculative future of trees and native forest ecosystems in Switzerland. It was produced by Climanosco, EPFL Pavilions and Durabilité EPFL.
Feels Like 1950, Krzysztof Wronski
Image: Krzysztof Wronski
[Pheno]Plasticity, Maja Renn
Image: Maja Renn/Claudio Zenger
Aerial relocation assistance, Krzysztof Wronski
Image: Krzysztof Wronski
[Pheno]Plasticity, Maja Renn
Image: Maja Renn/Claudio Zenger
EPFL Plant Ecology Research Lab (PERL)
Image: Krzysztof Wronski
[Pheno]Plasticity, Maja Renn
Image: Maja Renn/Claudio Zenger
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Maja Renn
Maja Renn weaves movement, minimalist drawings and poetry into visual and performative narratives that playfully emphasise, shift and dissolve boundaries. Her often collaborative and transdisciplinary pieces take various forms, ranging from immersive dance productions and participatory movement sessions to intimate one-on-one rituals. The artist’s performative installation [Pheno]Plasticity describes scientific findings on the property of phenotypic plasticity, i.e. the ability of organisms to form different shapes in response to environmental conditions.
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Krzysztof Wronski
Copenhagen-based researcher, artist and designer Krzysztof Wronski creates research-based speculative works on social and environmental challenges. His multimedia installations explore how living trees can be given expanded possibilities for action and abilities. The artist’s prototypes and interventions are designed to serve trees while questioning the relationships between humans and living organisms struggling with the climate crisis.
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Plant Ecology Research Lab (PERL)
The research group PERL is investigating the ecological adaptation processes of plants under climatic stress. How do trees adapt to climate change? How does the adaptation process work, what does it take, how can it help? How can humans contribute to this adaptation process and what can we learn from trees in order to adapt? What could change in our perception of trees?
Events
- [Pheno]Plasticity Movement Workshop
Wednesday, 4 December 2024, 12:30 pm–2:20 pm
Room MED 2 2423, EPFL
with Maja Renn, artist
Free Entry
Language: English
Ages 10 and up, registration until Tuesday, 3 December 2024 at dear2050@climanosco.org
- Roundtable on Phenotypic Plasticity
Wednesday 4 December, 14:45–15:45
Room MED 2 2423, EPFL
with Maja Renn, artist, and Kate Johnson, scientist at PERL
Free Entry
Language: English
- Guided Tour
Wednesday, 4 December 2024, 5 pm–6 pm
with curator Bettina Rohr
Free Entry
Language: English
Ages 10 and up
- Guided Tour
Wednesday, 11 December 2024, 6 pm–7 pm
EPFL Pavilions, Pavilion A
Free Entry
Language: French
Ages 8 and up
Individual guided tours for groups of 4 people or more on demand: dear2050@climanosco.org
- Polytree Night
Wednesday, 11 December 2024, 7 pm
Room SV 1717, EPFL
Reading of "Letters Found Under the World Tree," winning entries from the writing contest and a forest-themed quiz
- Workshop for Families
26–28 December 2024 and 2–4 January 2025, 2 pm–3:30 pm
Pavilion A
Guided tour and workshop, creation of panels as a protest action for the forest
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Free Entry
Language: French
Ages 8 and up
- [Pheno]Plasticity Movement Workshop
Saturday, 28 December 2024, 4 pm–6 pm
EPFL Pavilions, Pavilion A
with Maja Renn, artist
Free Entry
Language: English
Ages 8 and up
Registration until Friday, 27 December 2024 at dear2050@climanosco.org