The (X)tree project is an experiment in data visualization, video mapping and socially interactive art.
Taos Projection Event
It started in December 2010 in collaboration with the Santa Fe Complex. The idea was to create a tree form generated algorithmically from people sending tweets. Each tweet becoming a branch. The code was written by Jared Tarbell. The dynamically growing tree form would generate live from the internet and be projected on to a building for a live event to raise money for Tree New Mexico tree planting projects. Our first event took place at the Lighting of Ledoux in Taos New Mexico.
Buenos Aires Projection Event
I then traveled to Buenos Aires where I worked with programmers Jeff Milton and Joe Roth to adapt the code further. We did our second event at the IMPA Factory, a factory taken over by artists and workers after the crisis. With the help of Matias Legare, Minimal Cine and Arrow Interactiva we projected the xtree to an interior wall of a warehouse space as a benefit for LIFE Argentina, an organization trying to raise money to plant trees in Villa 15, La ciudad oculta.
ISEA2012
We have been invited to present the (x)trees for ISEA2012 which will take place in Albuquerque, New Mexico. For this collaboration the (x)tree code will be expanded to include leaf patterns and movements that are generated when participants dialogue in some way, encouraging and tracking social interactions around the (x)tree ISEA event. The goal of this new adaptation of (x)tree is to explore ways to encourage more human interaction around the art/technology.