Of The Oak is an immersive installation celebrating the oak tree as a network of relationships. Through an interactive video, multichannel audio, and an online field guide, the artwork invites viewers on a sensory journey across seasons, unveiling the oak’s hidden vibrancy.

https://marshmallowlaserfeast.com/project/of-the-oak/

Once again building on systems developed for previous MLF tree portraits, this time with the added wrinkle of a real time particle layer running over the top. The system developed by Chris and Sam runs in unity to use two Z Cameras to generate velocity maps that then drive a particle system that interacts with the tree and ground and is live composited into a pre-rendered video with a depth map.

Other key developments include the use of a ground penetrating radar scan to capture the roots, optimisation & generalisation of the xylem and phloem spline generation, and a series of visual experiments for print media to go with the key exhibition.

Credits

An Artwork by Marshmallow Laser Feast

Ersin Han Ersin, Barnaby Steel, Robin McNicholas

Commissioned by Royal Botanical Gardens Kew

Executive Producers: Eleanor (Nell) Whitley, Mike Jones

Producer: Roxie Oliveira

Head of Studio: Sarah Gamper Marconi

Lead Artist: Quentin Corker Marin

Lead Creative Technologist: Chris Mullany

Creative Developer: Sam Twidale

VFX Artists: Nicolas Le Dren, Lewis Saunders

Technical Lead: Miryana Ivanova

Music, Sound Design: James Bulley

Sound System Engineer: Simon Hendry

Assistant Recordist: Jake Tyler, Richard Hards

Recording Musicians: Kat Tinker, Audrey Riley, Daniel Pioro, Ian Stonehouse

Graphic Designer: Patrick Fry

Researcher, Copywriter: Eliza Collin

Marketing and Communications Lead: Erin Wolson

Technical Studio Assistant: Ieva Vaitiekunaite

Studio Administrator & Production Assistant: Alex McRobbie

Online Field Guide Design and Development: Lusion

Lidar Technician: Zachary Mollica

PR: Margaret

Contributing Authors for Meditations

Daisy Lafarge

Merlin Sheldrake

Laline Paull

Ella Saltmarshe

Meditations Voiced by Michelle Newell, Merlin Sheldrake

Scientific Advisors & Contributors

Kevin Martin (RBG, Kew)

Justin Moet (RBG, Kew)

Dr. Laura Martinez-Suz (RBG, Kew)

Lee Davies (RBG, Kew)

Peter Gasson (RBG, Kew)

Dr. Ruth Mitchell

Prof. James McDonald

Dr. Jenni Stockan

Paul Bellamy – RSPB

For Marshmallow Laser Feast

Executive Producers: Alex Rowse, Carolina Vallejo

Senior Producer: Martin Jowers

Producers: Anya Tye, Emmanuel Adanlawo

Tools & Infrastructure Engineer: Maria Astakhova

Social Media Content Manager: Selin Kir

For Installation

Documentation: Lamplight Media Ltd

LED Suppliers: Wheelhouse

Rigging Constructors: Focus Rigging and Scaffolding Ltd

Health & Safety Consultants: Event Safety Plan

Camera Case Design: Sienna Griffin-Shaw