“Roots” is a project focused on relationships between humans and nature centered around the question: “Which tree is the most significant to you?”. The main medium is socially engaged photography: firstly, used in a process of community building with a group of dancers in Poznań, Poland and then used as an experiment of reaching new audiences in organic ways in Hasselt, Belgium during a residency at Nomad City.
The underlying idea is the assumption that one’s roots lie in the tree that is the most significant to the person. By looking for it one often re-discovers childhood memories where trees were used as playgrounds, points of meetings and new discoveries. In this sense the tree is not only a vessel for memories, but also a partner in life – growing and experiencing changes in the environment just as the person. By documenting this the partnership is being further explored.
Another aspect is the presence of trees in the belief systems of ancient cultures. Starting from the Yggdrasill and ending at sacred groves in Ancient Greece – reconnecting with a tree is also reconnecting with one’s ancestry. This connection is now more important than ever in the context of climate change. Trees are a symbol of the resistance of nature by improving the quality of life around them – they retain water, give shade, grow fruit, increase biodiversity. Caring for trees can be a starting point for caring for nature as a whole.
A series of photos showing different people and their trees forms a universal and inclusive perspective encouraging a different kind of relationship. Overlaying locations of the photos on a map offers a further opportunity for reflection and interaction. The root network in itself can be a starting point for new actions.
