ARBORESCENT
2023With ‘Arborescent’ ( meaning: like a tree ), Miao Li delves into human-tree relations such as horticulture, Bonsai, and Mongol-Manchu Shamanism and translates the language of trees into artisanal objects, aiming to evoke alternative understandings and appreciations of trees beyond an anthropocentric worldview.
To Miao, trees embody sublime entities of great intricacy and beauty. He meticulously studies how stems branch following mathematical principles, how foliage dances in the wind and how roots whisper to each other across endless fungal networks.
By studying the crafts of basketry and Jiseung paper weaving, he ingeniously incorporates them into a range of arborescent objects, ranging from somewhat functional baskets to ornamental tree objects and ritualistic door charms. Through his work, Miao invites us to experience the profound interconnectedness between crafts, ecology and mythology and to see ourselves as part of a tremendous, intricate and animate ecosystem.
Cover Image Modelling by Tessa Straver
This book ‘Arborescent’ serves as project documentation, covering topics related to human-tree relationships, such as forestry, horticulture and Manchu-Mongol Shamanism. It is also an image archive of trees in Arnhem and the creative process of materializing the language of trees.
The poem ‘Tree’ by Ai Qing describes how trees communicate with each other through underground networks. By grafting raw, processed and synthetic materials together, Miao intends to challenge the nature-human duality. The blue paper tape resembles Khata, the ceremonial scarf used to communicate with the cosmos.
The hand-twisted paper string resembles flesh of tree. During the Ancestor’s day in China, people dress up in weeping willows and place them on doors to ward off evil spirits. Turning the steel wire often used to control the growth of Bonsai into a supportive skeleton, a question is raised if it is ethical to either manipulate a living tree, or to make papers out of a tree for the sake of art. Without the metal skeleton, a bonsai becomes a bird. In Manchurian mythology, trees serve as gateways that connect different realities while birds are scared messengers that travel in between.
The function of the coat rack is inspired by the shamanic ritual of hanging ceremonial scarves on trees. This basket series is a study of both construction and pattern inspired by woods. Rattan as a common basketry material, only grows and climbs on trees in the rainforest of Southeast Asia, serving eco-economical well-being of the local community.
