{"id":1151,"date":"2024-07-02T11:10:30","date_gmt":"2024-07-02T18:10:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/research.ecuad.ca\/bgml\/?page_id=1151"},"modified":"2024-11-13T11:39:47","modified_gmt":"2024-11-13T19:39:47","slug":"wild-empathy-immersive-art-about-westcoast-ancient-trees-and-forests","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/research.ecuad.ca\/bgml\/projects\/wild-empathy-immersive-art-about-westcoast-ancient-trees-and-forests\/","title":{"rendered":"Wild Empathy\u00a0 \/\u00a0 Immersive Art About Westcoast Ancient Trees and Forests\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">British Columbia (BC) is known for its wilderness and lush green forests. Old-growth trees play a crucial role in the province\u2019s natural ecologies, and they contribute to the health of the planet.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Old growth trees take in vast amounts of carbon from the atmosphere because of their growth rate that accelerates with age. They provide rich habitats of biodiversity, and they function as crucial hubs in the below ground networked mycorrhizal activities of the forest. Extensive logging, human development and climate change have reduced these wild spaces, threatening the future of intact forests and old-growth trees, and the habitat they provide for a variety of life.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Co-led ed by <a href=\"https:\/\/research.ecuad.ca\/bgml\/people\/julie-andreyev-phd\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Julie Andreyev<\/a> and Maria Lantin in collaboration with Tom Cummins of Science World, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wildempathy.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Wild Empathy<\/a> project addressed this environmental concern by creating immersive multimedia experiences for urban audiences, raising awareness about the unique features of local old growth forests, and leading to a sense of wonder + care for their protection. The project involved a team including scientists and artists Dave Baar, Damien Gillis, Deirdre Brink, Simon Overstall as well as a group of research assistants.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Supported by the BGML since 2018, Wild Empathy generated rich media techniques and methods \u2014 VR, 360 photography, 360 immersive video, animation, immersive sound \u2014 to create experiences in which viewers\/listeners can better understand the liveliness of old trees and appreciate their significance.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"363\" src=\"https:\/\/research.ecuad.ca\/bgml\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/07\/wild-production-800x363.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1155\" srcset=\"https:\/\/research.ecuad.ca\/bgml\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/07\/wild-production-800x363.png 800w, https:\/\/research.ecuad.ca\/bgml\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/07\/wild-production-768x349.png 768w, https:\/\/research.ecuad.ca\/bgml\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/07\/wild-production-1536x698.png 1536w, https:\/\/research.ecuad.ca\/bgml\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/07\/wild-production.png 1548w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Research and New Media Experimentation \/ Merging biological + digital realities<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cTrees are beautiful. Many of us have relationships with individual trees. As well, old trees have deep wisdom about their forest habitats and cultures. Local Indigenous nations have great knowledge about trees and forests. Immersive art and storytelling can be effective ways to engage people and raise awareness about old trees and forests, and the gifts they provide, leading to greater care.\u201d &#8211; Wild Empathy Team&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Employing multispecies methods, and noninvasive approaches to recording video\/sound materials, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wildempathy.org\/methods\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Wild Empathy<\/a> is a multidisciplinary and complex research project that created a series of original artworks.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some of the research <a href=\"http:\/\/experiments\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">experiments<\/a> involved the use of specialized microphones for field recording, sound improvisation with trees, 360 video recording of an old growth forest, experimental animation, and MIDI Biodata Sonification.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The resulting Wild Empathy art projects were distributed through public venues including Science World BC, New Adventures in Sound Art, Sunshine Coast Arts Council Gallery, Gender Equity in Media Festival.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These art projects include immersive media installation <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wildempathy.org\/they-speak-in-whispers\/\">they speak in whispers<\/a>;<\/em> the VR experience <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wildempathy.org\/tree-earth-sky\/\">Tree Earth Sky<\/a>; <\/em>generative sound installation <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wildempathy.org\/sound-of-tree-rings\/\">Sound of Tree Rings<\/a>; <\/em>360 photography series <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wildempathy.org\/tiny-planets\/\">Tiny Planets<\/a><\/em>;\u00a0and <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wildempathy.org\/tree-spots\/\">Tree Spots<\/a>,<\/em> videos about charasmatic local trees.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To know more about Wild Empathy, visit the project\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wildempathy.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">official website<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">: :\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"440\" src=\"https:\/\/research.ecuad.ca\/bgml\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/07\/thumbnail_Screenshot-2024-07-02-at-12.04.26\u202fPM-800x440.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1163\" srcset=\"https:\/\/research.ecuad.ca\/bgml\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/07\/thumbnail_Screenshot-2024-07-02-at-12.04.26\u202fPM-800x440.png 800w, https:\/\/research.ecuad.ca\/bgml\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/07\/thumbnail_Screenshot-2024-07-02-at-12.04.26\u202fPM-768x423.png 768w, https:\/\/research.ecuad.ca\/bgml\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/07\/thumbnail_Screenshot-2024-07-02-at-12.04.26\u202fPM-1536x845.png 1536w, https:\/\/research.ecuad.ca\/bgml\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/07\/thumbnail_Screenshot-2024-07-02-at-12.04.26\u202fPM.png 1764w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wildempathy.org\/about\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Meet The Team<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dr Julie Andreyev, co-investigator, Emily Carr University&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dr Maria Lantin, co-investigator, director of the Basically Good Media Lab, ECU&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tom Cummins, Director of Exhibits, Telus World of Science&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Simon Overstall, sound production, composer and computational aesthetics&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Damien Gillis, independent documentary filmmaker&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dr David Baar, independent computer scientist&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dr Deirdre Brink, independent biologist&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lorenz Jimenez, independent photographer and videographer&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sean Arden, research technician in the Mixed Reality Lab, ECU&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Olivier Leroux, VR cinematographer, Impact VR&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Alonso Benavente Fortes, project staff, ECU&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Alex Hass, research associate, Basically Good Media Lab, ECU&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>ECU Research Assistants<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mana Hairichian Saei&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cara Jacobsen&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sam Street&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Keira Madsen&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Leanne Plisic&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Gina Mae Schubert&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Edward Madojemu&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Emma Baldwin&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kyla Gilbert-Heaney&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Michael Fowler&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vanessa Wong&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Chloe Brumwell&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Arian Jacobs&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jess Spaude (BCIT)&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Supported by<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Connection Grant, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, 2019&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">SSHRC Institutional Exchange Grant, ECU, 2019&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Gillespie Design Research Grant, ECU, 2018 and 2019&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Basically Good Media Lab, and the Mixed Reality Lab, ECU&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">: :&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Follow BGML\u2019s Instagram account (@ecugoodmedia) to stay updated with future events and learning opportunities.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">: : <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Credits:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Image 1 &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wildempathy.org\/tiny-planets\/\">Tiny Planets<\/a> &#8211; Images by Leanne Plisic, Sam Street and Cara Jacobsen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Image 2 &#8211; Wild Empathy <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wildempathy.org\/production\/\">production<\/a> team &#8211; Damien Gillis with Olivier Leroux preparing to shoot canopy footage for they speak in whispers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Image 3 &#8211; Wild Empathy <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wildempathy.org\/production\/\">production<\/a> team &#8211; Julie Andreyev and research assistant Sam Street setting up recording equipment at the 1308 Trees site near Lost Creek, Burnaby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Image 4 &#8211; Wild Empathy <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wildempathy.org\/production\/\">production<\/a> team &#8211; The video projection within the hollow tree, with Simon Lysander Overstall for scale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Image 5 &#8211; Virtual Reality headset experience from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wildempathy.org\/tree-earth-sky\/\">Tree Earth Sky<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Project (2018 \u2013 Ongoing)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1162,"parent":8,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1151","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/research.ecuad.ca\/bgml\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1151","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/research.ecuad.ca\/bgml\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/research.ecuad.ca\/bgml\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/research.ecuad.ca\/bgml\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/research.ecuad.ca\/bgml\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1151"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/research.ecuad.ca\/bgml\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1151\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1190,"href":"https:\/\/research.ecuad.ca\/bgml\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1151\/revisions\/1190"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/research.ecuad.ca\/bgml\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/research.ecuad.ca\/bgml\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1162"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/research.ecuad.ca\/bgml\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1151"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}