To Be Tree. Seek, stand, close your eyes and breathe.
A guest blog by Ienke Kastelein
To Be Tree
Some thoughts on trees and being
For as long as I remember trees are present in my life.
There is the huge birch tree in my grandmother’s garden,
that I loved and can still smell when I think of it.
The chestnut tree that I found near the hospital when my father was dying, that consoled me thoroughly.
The plane tree in front of my studio – that is always there, and seems to always have been there, from ancient times to the present age showing in its bark. Many people are inclined to briefly touch it in passing
The Plane tree in front of my studio
It was only a few years ago that something shifted in my awareness.
In my practice as a visual artist I was focusing on my senses, walking and performance.
I started noticing that I was extremely drawn to certain plants and trees as if they were calling me, reaching out to me. This sensation is what I like to refer to as resonance.
And I felt like they were beings, instead of things.
In a workshop ‘Walking in Resonance‘ during Made of Walking Plant(e)scape in Akamas, in 2018 we explored this concept further – we looked for plants and trees that had a specific attraction to us – enter into an encounter and conversation with it and to share our experiences in a silent conversation.
Walking in resonance during Made of Walking Plant(e)scape in Akamas, Cyprus
The ultimate way of thinking about who we are as human beings and how we relate to the world around us is to observe and experience it through our senses; we resonate through smell, sound, touch. We need to look for ways to intensify these perceptions and interact with whatever is around us.
We can find ways to develop profound empathy.
To be in this world, together.
And how to be tree.
Ienke Kastelein
To Be Tree
Find a tree that is appealing to you - seek its company - stand close to the tree - close your eyes and breathe - listen to tree - hear the sound of the leaves as they are touched by the wind - gently touch the bark of the tree - lean against it - take a moment - breathe - stand next to the tree - be tree - open your eyes - keep her company. It's like visiting a tree - any tree anywhere wherever the participant can be with one.
Read more and download a copy of the prompt from here.
Ienke Kastelein is a walking performance photographer. She lives in The Netherlands .
Visit Ienke’s website, follow her on Facebook and Instagram.
