UKITAKA NIFURAISHA NIPE YA SIKUKUU, performance 37

Data collected from the chosen Baobab show the changes happening within the tree during several days of observation. These data, translated into colors, were matched with khangas. About 500 khangas were used to express through dance and color the “message” from the baobab as captured by the sensors.

The art and science performance UKITAKA NIFURAHISHA, NIPE YA SIKUKUU is a part of the collaboration between EDEN (Ethics – Durability – Ecology – Nature) developed by artist Olga Kisseleva and EAMAN. It explores a range of issues, including the protection of endangered plant species and interspecific communication between living subjects that are placed in the “inhuman” category and building a new kind of organic network based on vegetal medium. It transforms this encrypted communication into a comprehensive and open network. The trees included into the project can talk across continents, and humans follow their communication through interactive artworks.

The performance UKITAKA NIFURAHISHA, NIPE YA SIKUKUU took place on the Shela beach, in front of the ocean and Manda Island, covered by tropical lowland shrubbery and forests of acacias, mangoes and baobabs. The title was inspired by the Swahili inscriptions found on the broad rim of the khangas used in the performance:UKITAKA NIFURAHISHA, NIPE YA SIKUKUU meaning “if you want me happy, give me a holiday gift”.

For the performance Olga Kisseleva chose a young baobab from Lamu Archipelago, the emblematic tree which has a big practical, nutritional, cultural, and spiritual value for the Swahili coast inhabitants. The artist consulted with Kenyan botanists (names of the botanists and interviews) and collected from a selected Baobab dynamic biological data providing insights into the Baobab’s state and wellbeing. The scientific team developed sensors to monitor noise measurements, circulation of fluids within the tree trunk, electric signals, impulses and pressure, electromagnetic waves, shrinkages, hydration, gas emissions, the amount of chlorophyll in the leaves, wind resistance, and many other parameters.

In nature all these vital signs allow the tree to communicate with other trees, birds and plants, i.e. with the environment as a whole. Transcoded by scientists, these data allow them to judge the health of the tree and the strategies it adopts for survival. Interpretation by the artist, allows the spectators to learn about the languages of nature.