Taking Root and Preserving a Legacy by Yang Lim
If you were to think about trees in Canada, one of the most visible reminders of their presence is when their leaves change colour and fall in the autumn, prompting people to clear their yards and sidewalks. Apart from that time of year, the ubiquity and omnipresence of trees in our communities is something that people may not give much thought about as they go about their daily lives. Sylvain Voyer’s installation I Speak Tree could be regarded as a reverential tribute to trees, through which it encourages viewers to reflect on the significance of trees and, more broadly, nature to their own lives.
I Speak Tree consists of several repurposed poster and reproductions of original paintings. Viewers will be struck by their colourfulness and variety as well as the different aesthetic techniques used. Representing all four seasons, the images include evergreen, deciduous, coniferous, and other types of trees within different natural environments and climates. Some images depict trees in daylight surroundings with backdrops such as mountains, rivers, and other natural formations, whereas other images feature close-up shots of the trees’ leaves or atmospheric representations of trees in the evening.
One notable work is a framed image of a huge, ancient tree in a grassy field with mist and hills in the background. Beneath this image is a row of small fabric figures who appear to be wearing traditional Central or South American clothes. Connoting a connection between history and nature as well as between people and history, this work reminds us that all living things have a valuable history that we may be unaware about and that it deserves attention and preservation. Furthermore, it reminds us that trees sustain life as they are an essential part of the earth’s ecosystem.
The installation also reminds us of how our own existence is dependent on and intricately interconnected with nature. Perhaps it encourages us to treasure and preserve the past for future generations, since it can never be recovered once it is lost.
Voyer’s exhibit is located on the second floor of the Stantec Tower, where other exhibits are also available for public viewing.