City of Trees (2021)

Public Artwork, City of London, UK

A public installation and film series that memorialised the historic relationship between Londoners and Epping Forest. Through an immersive installation comprising large-scale video projection, soundscape, music and wooden structures, the work conjured ancient trees and rituals of Epping Forest within the heart of the City of London.

In Autumn 2021 life-size video portraits of Oak, Beech and Hornbeam pollards from Epping were projected onto St Mary Aldermary Church in the City accompanied by an immersive soundscape by James Bulley and original musical score for each by NYX and Laura Misch, recorded in Epping Forest, and benches formed from two halves of a recently felled oak from Epping. In 2022 the work toured as a holographic series of projections with live performances by Laura Misch and NYX.

The project was commissioned by the City of London, who manage Epping Forest, and involved close collaboration with conservation and visitor staff at Epping Forest. 




Credits

Artist: Matthew Rosier
Music: NYX, Laura Misch, James Bulley
Benches: Saunders Seasonings
Accompanying films & installation video: Greg Barnes
Project Assistant: Greg White
City of London: Laurie Miller-Zutshi, Alice Spalding
Thanks: St Mary Aldermary Church, Luke Turner, Paul Wood, Tab Binding, Nina Williams, Gavin BodenhamPhotos: Ben Broomfield, 2021


Photos

Ella Pavlides