Pascale Marthine “Plastic Trees”

The work of Pascale Marthine titled “Plastic Trees” was featured at the Art Basel in 2015. The installation of these so call “Plastic Trees’ was different than the way we know tree to be planted, allowing the artist to focus on inverting the usual experience with have with trees. The installation showed real, thin, wall based tree trunks coming outwards to the audience. The branches of the trees where all different dimensions allowing the organic shape and growth connect the piece to nature. The various distances of the beaches allowed them to grow horizontally from the surface, allowing the audience to view the work like a first from above. The artist then used bright coloured plastic bags on the end of the branches instead of leaves using both man-made and natural materials. I really responded to the use of organic tree limns in conjunction to the tried plastic bags around the hanging branches as its a combination I using in my work however I was documenting my work in locations rather in a more controlled environment.

The work is a visual symbol of the harmful effects of pollution and the mass consumption of plastic, really touching on the direct effect plastic bags have on the world. The artist investigates the artistic qualities of the plastics as a medium to work with repurposing them. Using this method of incorporating the plastic and natural materials is something I really wanted to explore further in project as the combination between two such drastic things created this new relationship with have with both materials that focuses on their use usefulness rather then there connection to the surrounding earth. I also enjoyed the contrast between the artificial colours, something I tried to explore within my project through the use of food colouring and ice within a natural outside context. The play go putting something in a place that it looks like it doesn’t belong was visually a strong development.

The artist was all part of an exhibition “Among the Trees” in London, 2019 – 2020. This exhibition expanded on the relationship we have trees and their qualities. I though looking at this exhibition was useful as terras where featured within my work as context for work, as part of the concept within my work, as a focus and as background research into sustainability. Mainly the research based around over use of trees for the making of many different materials, how the planting of new terras doesn’t too as good as the older trees. Meaning that no matter hoe many new trees might be planted, it doesn’t do as much good as the older one that are contuinsalqy getting cut down.