AS part of the World Environment Day Festival in Murwillumbah last Sunday, local artists Marion Douglas and Ivo Tadic presented Funky Leaves and Bendy Trees, an interactive installation at the Murwillumbah Showgrounds.<\/p>\n
Co-creator Marion Douglas described the work as an “ephemeral sculpture”, beginning with a series of bare, flexible “bendy trees” that gradually changed through public participation.<\/p>\n
“Visitors encountered bare ‘bendy trees’ which would then ‘sprout’ ‘funky leaves’ as a result of Leaf Letters which can be attached to the bendy trees,” Marion said.<\/p>\n
Visitors were invited to contribute Leaf Letters, handwritten messages, questions or reflections about the environment on leaves made from repurposed artworks.<\/p>\n
For Marion, the concept behind the work is grounded in ecological thinking.<\/p>\n
“The concept or reality of a tree being part of a complex, interconnected ecosystem is compelling and mysterious, and can be extrapolated to human society and all living things, for the greater good,” she said.<\/p>\n
A network of torn translucent fabric connected the trees, referencing underground fungal networks and the interconnectedness of life.<\/p>\n
As the installation evolved throughout the day, Marion reflected on the changing nature of artistic practice.<\/p>\n
“Artworks are, however, ultimately their own entity,” she said.<\/p>\n
As more Leaf Letters were added, the work evolved from individual contributions into a shared environment shaped by many voices.<\/p>\n
Marion said audience participation was central to the installation, positioning visitors as co-creators rather than observers.<\/p>\n
“I think they’re happy to be involved on the level of making the comments and putting them on the trees,” she said.<\/p>\n
“It was a great experience working collaboratively and individually towards the outcome on the day that intrigued visitors who were happy to contribute via Leaf Letters.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
AS part of the World Environment Day Festival in Murwillumbah last Sunday, local artists Marion Douglas and Ivo Tadic presented Funky Leaves and Bendy Trees, an interactive installation at the Murwillumbah Showgrounds. Co-creator Marion Douglas described the work as an “ephemeral sculpture”, beginning with a series of bare, flexible “bendy trees” that gradually changed through […]<\/p>\n