a forest of signs
a forest of signs
Trees and the Urban Imaginary
2012 – 13
This London based photographic project explores the relationship between street trees and urban public space. The project focuses upon the London Plane, once a common street tree which due to its resilience was dubbed the ‘working lungs of London’.
In this work the Plane is considered as part of a matrix of signs and objects in the urban environment – a forest of signs. The presence of the tree acts as both a focus and a frame for interpreting the environment, drawing attention the impact of daily life and passing time.
The many layered character of London’s changing topography, architecture and advertising lends itself to an experience of porosity and transformation and trees play a significant part in this, being both animate and rooted to the spot, they are living witnesses to change.
Moving image (extract). The full length film can be viewed here.