​

becoming part of nature

​

In October 2019 Annabel started a project named: How to become a tree. How to become a tree is a project in which the artist searches for ways to be part of nature. 

This project has a literal approach in which the almost childish longing to become something else takes on an poetic form. Like the title suggests, she researches if one can experience being like a tree. One example: during practice she trains herself to stand like a tree for hours. In this example she tries to connect with her surroundings (this can be anywhere: a forest, field, city center) by becoming present. In these projects she often creates pictures that appeal to the imagination. She uses film, live performance and photography, mostly accompanied by sound.

​

The way Annabel sees it 'How to become a tree' could become a life project in which artist and project will continue to grow together.

​

"The most astonishing habit of nature is that she is constantly moving in an unpredictable way. That makes her almost impossible to study, I can only approximate her" 

​

In her methods of studying nature she collects data about moments experienced in nature and hopes to learn something about the moment that creates the experience, and to understand what makes it so powerful. Recording audio, calculating distances, collecting objects or rhythms, writing about the experience, making music after or while experiencing are examples of collecting data. However, she doesn't document everything.

"It is not always necessary to capture or approximate the temporary movements of nature for further use."

If one doesn’t capture the moment, the actual live experience becomes more valuable, for it can never be revisited, except in memory.

​

​

​

​