ArtAV had the pleasure of returning to Yorkshire Sculpture Park for a second time this year following the success of the William Kentridge exhibition, The Pull Of Gravity. Working alongside the wonderful team at YSP we were asked to install Of the Oak; a magnificent immersive sound and video experience by acclaimed artist collective Marshmallow Laser Feast.
Of the Oak is on display in the Chapel at YSP over the winter months bringing the outside in. A huge floor to almost the ceiling rear projection of Kew Gardens Lucombe Oak is brought to life. MLF have recreated a digital double revealing the tree’s remarkable inner workings and the surrounding area; one of natures greatest ecosystems.
Accompanying the projection is an immersive surround sound audio environment composed from recordings made at Kew Gardens and Wakehurst. Mastered in the space with its unique acoustics, the sound team worked tirelessly to bring the living soundscape of the oak into the Chapel. ArtAV have long been admirers of MLF’s wonderful work, and have provided equipment for their exhibitions on a number of occasions but this was the first time we were able to assist with the installation as well. Therefore, it was paramount that the correct equipment was used.
To do the visual justice we needed to use a UHD projector with excellent colour reproduction to really allow the viewers to experience the delicate details, an Epson PQ2216 laser projector was used. With Epson’s state of the art 4K Crystal Motion technology and a UST lens the compact yet powerful unit was ideal to allow the screen to be as far back as possible in the space giving the audience a massive sense of scale. A collection of 11 Genelec, including 8020 and 8340 speakers and a JBL subwoofer provided the bulk of the audio with two K2 Array Annacondas hidden in the floor grates to bring noise of nature from a unique direction to the audience really amplifying the sense of immersion.
It is a unique setting in the North of England, this exhibition is really worth the visit, and ArtAV look forward to working with YSP on their next ambitious AV exhibition.
Photos copyright Mark Reeves, courtesy of Yorkshire Sculpture Park