The “Garden of Entanglement” project delves into the vibration and resonance of urban trees under human movement, blurring the boundaries between art, science, and environmental awareness. Utilizing seismic and high-sensitivity accelerometers (PCB 393-C) alongside 3D scanning (Faro laser, Polycam) and software like Unreal Engine, Covise, Matlab, and Max/msp, we aim to comprehend how trees resonate with various frequency lengths. Our objective is to craft immersive experiences that intimately connect audiences with the dynamic resonance of trees.

In the upcoming months, the artist will conduct experiments in Florence to gather new datasets simulating human movements and environmental stimuli, fueling dynamic simulations for virtual and physical installations. Additionally, the team plans to conduct interviews and research with arborists and biologists to gain deeper insights from their perspectives.

Scientific Perspective

The “Garden of Entanglement” project presents an alternative approach to studying urban tree dynamics and visualizing scientific findings. By analyzing acceleration data with support from HLRS in Stuttgart and collaborators, the artist seeks to elucidate tree interactions with their surroundings. The goal is to translate complex data into accessible and creative insights using advanced visualization techniques.

Potential Impact

This interdisciplinary approach aims at engaging diverse audiences through immersive experiences and promoting sustainable education, as well as raising awareness about urban tree dynamics. Notable achievements include successful experiments with data processing and visualization, paving the way for future simulations. Combining art and science shall lead to fresh perspectives and cultivating a harmonious relationship between humans and nature.

Garden of Entanglement: reflection and thoughts on project by Hiền Hoàng

Main learnings:

“The scientific collaboration with HLRS has been highly productive, offering critical insights into data processing and analysis. However, the administrative requirements, including agenda-less meetings and repeated reporting, have detracted from the project’s creative and innovative potential.”

Collaboration with AIR partners:

“While collaboration with HLRS has been highly effective, there has been limited curatorial and promotional support from the AiR partners. The lack of media exposure and the burdensome administrative tasks have created significant challenges. Meetings towards the final presentation in Barcelona often lack clear agendas, and reports are frequently not read by the organizing teams, leading to redundant meetings and explanations.”

KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER

Hien Hoang’s first knowledge transfer session is a video recording, produced in together with the artist’s scientific collaborators and mentors. It features presentations of the conceptual, artistic, methodological and scientific/technological aspects of the residency by the artist herself, Susanne Malheiros (HLRS) and Andrea Giachetti (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Florence). For the following panel discussion they are joined by Uwe Wössner (HLRS) and Mauricio Valdes (PINA) to discuss the project’s methodology, its hurdles and the merits of art-science collaborations. The video is available at the S+T+ARTS YouTube channel.

Event 1 Details

• Event Name: Garden of Entanglement – S+T+ARTS AIR Knowledge Transfer with artist Hien Hoang
• Date: July 31, 2024
• Location: Online, participants residing in Hamburg, Stuttgart, Koper and Florence

Hien Hoang’s second knowledge transfer session was a public presentation at the second 2024 iteration of the ReACH workshop, organized by MSC and HLRS. The workshop was visited by artists, researchers and policy experts. The artist guided a nearly two-hours-long session, presenting her artistic concept and methodology, as well as letting her HLRS collaborator Susanne Malheiros present the scientific/technological side of things. A prototype of the final installation was presented and experienced by the visitors in a live demo. The session was concluded by a Q&A with the audience.

Event 2 Details

• Event Name: ReACH Workshop (Research and Creation Center for eCulture and the Humanities)
• Date: September 25-27, 2024
• Location: High-Performance Computing Center Stuttgart (HLRS)

This project is funded by the European Union from call CNECT/2022/3482066 – Art and the digital: Unleashing creativity for European industry, regions, and society under grant agreement LC-01984767