The Tree of Knowledge was first installed at the Vanderelli Room in January 2020. Over the month of the show the tree grew to have 40 phones each looping a unique video. Phones include Blackberries, Palms, Androids, and Apples and range in age from 2004 to current models. In 2022 the number of phones grew to 54 and the installation was reinstalled at Pennington Custom Art Services. In 2024 at WitchLab and then at RAW Gallery the tree continued to expand to the point of nearly 80 cell phones. Look for the next iteration and expansion of the Tree of Knowledge grows.
About the Tree the Knowledge
Tree of Knowledge is a multi-channel video sculpture constructed using cell phone models that span over 20 years of technology. Each phone has its own looping video that is a memory. Our phones have become our brains and the keepers of our memories, yet they are extremely discardable. We encounter everything through our phones now – to the point that very few of our memories are not recorded, but how often do we go back and look at the memories? Do we lose them when we “upgrade”? With every device change we create a waste – waste of data, waste of time, waste of electronics. The perpetual need for the newest, best phone [brain] seems to be the exact opposite of the message of the climate crisis. Save the world; recycle, but make sure you upgrade your phone [brain] first. Plant a tree, because the message on the other end of your phone [brain] said so, but don’t forget to buy your next device.
Tree of Knowledge Installation Images
For information and inquires to request an installation of the Tree of Knowledge contact us by email.