Smoke Tree III

Smoke Tree’ is a new series of virtual sculptures by John Gerrard. In the works a tree is central to the frame, however a transformation has come about with the result that the foliage of the tree is abundantly producing carbon in the place of oxygen. This process continually unfolds creating a mesmerizing and ever-changing tableaux, a sculpture in virtual smoke which presents a disquieting yet strangely plausible possibility.

Based on existing trees in the rural landscape near the artists childhood home in southern Ireland the work operates within a single day which orbits from dusk to dawn around the central motif. As in previous works the presentation frame operates as a navigation device, allowing the public to move around the tree as an ‘image object’ or virtual sculpture.
The lifespan of the smoke is linked to that of the original tree, thus in the case of the Smoke Tree III, an Ash tree to be exhibited in Darklight, the smoke will begin to weaken after 150 years.

The Smoke Trees are part of a series based on different landscapes and trees. Each work can be considered to be a portrait of the tree in question.

www.johngerrard.net