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A social-network virtual holiday tree splashes onto building facade for
the annual Lighting of Ledoux Street, Dec. 11 Saturday 7:00pm-7:30pm (Ledoux
Lighting 5-7pm), 203 Fine Art, 203 Ledoux (top of Ledoux Street). A unique
collaborative event that takes the traditional holiday tree to another
dimension, a dynamic visualization of a tree-form generated by individuals
sending messages from social networks and mobile devices. But this form called
the (x)tree will only exist if people, and that means you! make it happen.
Agnes Chavez is founder of STEMArts and creator of the (x)tree project, says
"In order for the tree to come alive and start growing, virtually, people
from all over the world can just send a twitter message with the word #(x)tree
in it which then generates a branch. Each tweet generates a branch, person by
person, "growing" the algorithmic holiday tree. Working in conjunction
with the Santa Fe Complex, Chavez was able to quickly put together a team of
programmers and technologists who were able to help create the project in time
for the Ledoux street event. Roy Wroth, Executive Director of the Santa Fe
Complex, which will provide projectors and technical support, says, "This
is our first collaboration in Taos and we're glad to be part of the (x)tree
project." Jared Tarbell, programmer, is writing the algorithm that will
generate the beautiful tree form from Tweets and Joe Dean is the projectionist.
203 Fine Art is the host building for the event."The (x)tree is "grown" from the intention of
individuals," Chavez says, "it represents the way we are all
connected, not only through communication systems, but biologically as part of
a living system." At a time when trees are being cut down for the holiday
season and the looming awareness that corporate tree cutting practices are
endangering our ecological and cultural diversity, the (X) tree symbolizes how
each and everyone of us can contribute a "virtual seedling" and watch
it grow, reminding us of the simplicity and beauty of tree planting. For this
reason Chavez has also partnered with TREE NM, an organization based in
Albuquerque that reached their millionth tree planted in March 2007 through
community partnerships and educational outreach. They are now embarking on the
"One million more" campaign and the (x)tree project hopes to raise
awareness and money toward their goal. The project will continue after the event
as (x)tree will be transferred to a website, where people can continue to send
their messages and support the TREE NM tree-planting drive. The (x)tree project
is a STEMArts and Santa Fe Complex project benefit for Tree NM as part of their
"Plant a Million More" program.
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