Call of the Forest
Call of the Forest /Volané lesa, installation view at Kunsthalle Praha
animation made from tree tattoos received through open call, 1 min loop, animated by Jakub Kouřil, soundtrack by Abhi
large-scale projection 27,5′ x 21′ x H 13′ / 840 x 650 x výška 396 cm
The Call of the Forest is an animation that explores the deep, often subconscious longing for a connection with nature, manifested through the personal act of tattooing images of trees on the body. It is a new commission by the Kunsthalle Praha for our solo exhibition of the same name ( April 24 – August 31 2025). By gathering an archive of tree tattoos through a public open call, the artists pose a question: If individuals identify with trees, are they collectively a forest?
The work draws powerful parallels between human society and forest ecosystems, highlighting that both are based on mutual, interconnected relationships. While people have different and very personal reasons for choosing a tree as a tattoo, they are unified by a desire to create unique relationships with nature.
The dreamlike forest landscape projected on the walls is created entirely from individual tattoos, each one a node in a network of shared human and environmental connection. The resulting piece navigates a psychogeographical terrain, a fusion of human identity and nature where emotions and trees intertwine.
The trees were carefully selected by the artists to become part of an archive that focuses on deciduous and coniferous species found in both North American and European forests. Participants also shared the personal stories behind their tattoos, offering further insight into the connection between these symbols and the individuals who chose them. These stories can be explored through the digital guide that accompanies the exhibition.
The Call of the Forest was animated by Jakub Kouřil, features an original soundtrack by Abhi, a Prague-based composer.
The archive of The Call of the Forest remains open for new submissions as the artists continue to explore this theme and develop new projects in the future.
Related projects: Arbomobile, a living sculpture transforming a NYC taxi into a North American forest.
“Uprostřed našeho tábořiště stojí velký modřín, který je pro nás symbolem naprosté pohody a času stráveného mimo realitu běžného života se skvělými lidmi.”
Modřín, Praha, Jablonec nad Nisou
“Les je pro mě symbolem podvědomí, hloubky, tajemství a divočiny, ale i matky přírody, klidu a zdroje/domova.”
Les, borovice, bříza, Jihlava
„Představuje všechny mé vzpomínky, sny, to dobré i špatné všechno a každého, s kým během svého života přicházím do styku. Připomíná mi, že mám žít dobrý a skromný život a živit svou hlavu pozitivními posilami a zkušenostmi.”
Listnaty strom, New York, USA
