Nadia Nervo launches an immersive, nature-inspired exhibition exploring the symbiosis between humans and trees at The Muse Gallery, from 27 Oct – 13 Nov 2022.
The photographic series Dancing with Trees showcases responses to trees through 120mm film photography. Through Nervo’s intimate lens, the artist provides a window to an ethereal connection with nature.
The exhibition will feature a soundscape composed by musician and composer Suting Han. Scents of the forest floor and pine will linger among a collection of natural items collected from Nervo’s travels. The project is inspired by Nadia’s relationship growing up with forests and trees between hills and mountains in the north of Italy.
It is a widely known scientific fact that interacting with trees has positive health benefits. Numerous studies show that both being in forests and simply sitting and looking at trees reduces both blood pressure and stress. Long before the advent of modern science, shamans sought spiritual awakenings and used trees for holistic purposes. Dances with trees were believed to increase vitality and spiritual awareness. In Dancing with Trees, Nadia Nervo invites the viewer to experience the ethereal qualities of trees – using sound, scent and her series of analogue photography.
Through this project, Nervo is keen for others to experience the power of nature, especially trees. Nervo’s participants engaged with their inner selves, their heart and soul, to access and interpret the natural world through movement and stillness.
As Nadia explains: “The project ran for over a year – going through all seasons. It was a beautiful period in which we all got to observe the different smells, sounds and senses that the forests graced us with. The sound of branches falling, the scent of dewy bark, the sense of freedom and energy – all contributed to the outcome of the exhibition.”
Locations featured in the exhibition include Wimbledon Common, Esher, Highgate Woods, Hainault Forest, Epping Forest, Hampstead Heath, Richmond and Hyde Park.
For this exhibition Nervo has also collaborated with artist and performer Yuliya V Krylova and musician and composer Suting Han, who have both created work in response to the exhibition themes, images, and movements. This will be performed live at the opening event on Thursday 27th October at 19:20 and 20:00.
