Article
Dear Tree …
What would you say to a tree?
Tasmanian artist Rose Turtle Ertler wants to hear what you would like to say to the trees.
As part of her new community project, Dear Tree, Ertler is calling on residents of and visitors to northern Tasmania to send through voice recordings of their thoughts, feelings and experiences in the form of a love letter to a tree – any tree!
The recordings will be cut together to form a soundscape which will be used in her project, Dear Tree, one of 7 installations to be experienced as part of Nightlight at Junction Arts Festival this September.
Ertler said that the project is dedicated to all the trees she’s ever known, and celebrates the importance and essential role of nature in our lives.
“Dear Tree is a listening experience – a collection of people’s responses to trees, acknowledging and contemplating the position of nature within our lives,” said Ertler.
“Listeners lie on the earth together, circling a tree, looking up through the canopy and absorbing through headphones, spoken words… spoken to trees.”
To be involved in the project, all you need to do is:
1. Choose a tree.
2. Lie under the tree, looking up through the branches.
3. Press record on your phone or recording device.
4. Starting with the words ‘Dear Tree’, talk to the tree! Say anything about what you are seeing, feeling, hearing, experiencing in this moment with the tree. Try to speak clearly. Recordings should be a maximum of 30 seconds.
5. Listen back to the recording to check that all your words can be heard easily. If the words are not clear or there is too much background noise, try the recording again.
6. When you are happy with the recording email it to: roseturtle@gmail.com.
In 2019, Ertler presented Complimentary Caravan at Junction Arts Festival, an investigation into the power of words through an ongoing collection of audio and hand written compliments.
Festival goers were invited to step inside a cosy caravan and ‘bathe’ in a soundtrack of genuine compliments recorded from their local neighbourhood.
To experience Dear Tree at Junction Arts Festival, purchase a $10 Nightlight Map from the Box Office in Princes Square from 1-4 September 2021. Nightlight is a self-guided walking tour of the city, showcasing artworks and installations by Tasmanian artists.