Strong wind events foster leaning trees
2024 —
A research/curatorial project in collaboration with Mana Tashakorinia
..on the meaning of situational framework, the position as an experiencer; on the meaning of shared within shared experiences; on how flebile memory is, and how flebile sound is; on how elusive trees can be, especially when you’re trying to record them.
to live in a forest means that all trees face the same strong wind events.
when they lean on each other, do they feel any guilt, pity or affection?
Strong wind events foster leaning trees - an exhibition, June - July 2024
“Did you document it?”
“No. Maybe they’re still there.”
“And at what point did you begin making films?”
“That was a film — just in another medium.” *
We were walking together and suddenly stopped in our tracks.
An unfamiliar sound to stop us. Our eyes were looking for a source, as the sound had an irregular yet steady rhythm. Then we found them - the kissing trees.
What happens above is often different. Known as canopy disengagement, or crown shyness for the brave ones that dare to look at trees in the eyes, describes trees avoiding to touch each other. Their crown fully grown, creating gaps that look like cracks in dry soil, exposing the sky beyond. Sometimes it’s rather just overlap. Green on green, on green, on other shades of -, coexistence seemingly without interaction. Stacked like atoms that never touch each other. Together to form the forest, yet each sings their own song.
But here they were. Both bent, leaning into each other, both tall and rooted and healthy. The kissing trees displayed their affection at every wind signal. We felt a bit embarrassed. Perhaps we walked on what was meant to be a private scene.
“Trees typically start leaning due to a high wind event, sometimes combined with heavy rains and wet soil.
A leaning tree isn’t necessarily unhealthy (it really depends on the root condition), but they do look funny in the context of a manicured suburban landscape.“ **
Roots not only provide water, nutrients, and oxygen to the rest of the tree, but they also help to anchor the tree and keep it upright, even during intense storms or strong winds. Even when the soil feels foreign.
We’re two years older. This is still our forest. These are still our trees.
-Amy and Mana
* Herbert, Martin. “Flow, Resistance: Cerith Wyth Evans.” Essay. In The Uncertainty Principle. Berlin: Stenberg Press, 2014
** Wilkes, Nick. Blog. Heartwood Tree Care - Tree Removal, Pruning, Planting - Madison, WI, April 6, 2020
installation view shots by Amy Merigo and Ahmad Erfani
oil on carved wood
graphite and ink on cotton paper, 56 x 39 cm