Tree: A Reader on Arboreal Kinship

Artistic practices that share intimate, speculative and queer observations of tree kinship

Plants make the world; they literally create soil, shape landscapes and regulate the climate to some extent. They provide oxygen, fuel, food, building materials and shelter. Is anthropomorphism a way to strengthen the connection between humans and trees or a danger that makes it impossible to acquire objective knowledge? A Tree: A Reader on Arboreal Kinship showcases research and works in which artists explore the relationship between people and trees and ways we can relate more closely to their time span. (Some species, such as pines and Japanese cypress trees, can live up to 5,000 years.) A Tree is about vegetal agency, plant knowledge and the interaction between plants and people. The aim of this reader is to nurture and encourage dialogues and to share inspiration on exercising arboreal kinship by taking the time to think about trees differently.