Tery Žeželj

If Trees Would Cry, We Would Cry Too

Soundwalk

If Trees Would Cry, We Would Cry Too is a soundwalk, a site-sensitive walking activation that recalibrates the mind and body and makes them receptive to perceiving agents that have not been mourned or are impossible to mourn. The walk honours the life of Pika, the artist’s family dog companion who passed away in May 2023. It is framed by an audio recording of a walk the artist and Pika first took together in April 2008.

The artist grieves. By repeatedly walking the route, she allows memories to surface.

In seeking answers to questions of what is considered worthy of mourning in our society, how we collectively confront ecological grief, and how we can mourn other bodies, the walk includes reflections shared by Lea Leskovec, a forester, who considers experiences of death in forest environments.

If Trees Would Cry, We Would Cry Too is a soundwalk, a site-sensitive walking activation that recalibrates the mind and body and makes them receptive to perceiving agents that have not been mourned or are impossible to mourn. The walk honours the life of Pika, the artist’s family dog companion who passed away in May 2023. It is framed by an audio recording of a walk the artist and Pika first took together in April 2008.

The artist grieves. By repeatedly walking the route, she allows memories to surface.

In seeking answers to questions of what is considered worthy of mourning in our society, how we collectively confront ecological grief, and how we can mourn other bodies, the walk includes reflections shared by Lea Leskovec, a forester, who considers experiences of death in forest environments.

Tery Žeželj

She studied Dramaturgy and Performing Arts in Ljubljana and Contemporary Theatre, Dance and Dramaturgy at Utrecht University. Her research interests lie at the intersection of feminism, ecology and performing arts. She is currently employed as an assistant researcher at the University of Nova Gorica.

Artist: Tery Žeželj
Photo:
Matej Tomažin
Soundwalk realised in collaboration with:
Lea Leskovec
Sound and technical support: Blaž Pavlica
Producer: Maja Vižin
Production: Bunker, Ljubljana, 2023

Supported by: Ministry of Culture RS, ACT – Art, Climate, Transition, EU – Creative Europe programme: Culture

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