TATTOO (2023)
Rooted Festival – Wakehurst Kew
Tattoo was an installation that explored the “dynamics of carbon” with an ancient oak tree - created from recycled fallen branches sourced from the grounds at Hatfield House, emerging from a circle of limestone boulders. The installation aimed to make ‘the invisible visible’ with its shadows of absent oak leaves reflected on its trunk and branches.
The shadows of the invisible were created from carbon black ink; inspired by the discovery of the 5,300-year-old tattoos on Ötzi the Iceman’s mummified remains and in between the shadows of the absent oak leaves, were glimpses of the patterns of these original tattoos. Three constellations; Orion’s Belt, The Plough and Cassiopeia, were etched onto limestone boulders at the base of the tree with embedded stars of Swarovski crystals.
Tattoo was an installation that explored the “dynamics of carbon” with an ancient oak tree - created from recycled fallen branches sourced from the grounds at Hatfield House, emerging from a circle of limestone boulders. The installation aimed to make ‘the invisible visible’ with its shadows of absent oak leaves reflected on its trunk and branches.
The shadows of the invisible were created from carbon black ink; inspired by the discovery of the 5,300-year-old tattoos on Ötzi the Iceman’s mummified remains and in between the shadows of the absent oak leaves, were glimpses of the patterns of these original tattoos. Three constellations; Orion’s Belt, The Plough and Cassiopeia, were etched onto limestone boulders at the base of the tree with embedded stars of Swarovski crystals.
First photo, Jim Holden. All other shots Photographer Unknown.