Enchanted Tree Chronicles

Bruce Winkler, Artist

Madison, WI

Senior Design Team: Randy Gunter, Jay Handy, Alex Jans, Damon Smith, Bill Fritsch, James Winkler

Electronic Theatre Controls Creative Tech Team: (ETC) Fen Gustafson, Kylee Hauxwell, Brian Hair, Ethan Timmel

Children’s Theatre of Madison Youth Writers: Roseann Sheridan, Amelie LaBarre, Gracie Halverson, Samuel Alvarez, Beatrix Pauli, Joy Kirk, Ben Haden

Chromatix A Cappella Singers: Taryn Johnson, Krystal Lucas, Haley Shores, Kyle Spangenberger, Jeremy Shapiro, Jason Tesch, Stu Miller

In the silent heart of the forest, an unseen network thrives, known as the “Wood” Wide Web. A mesh of roots and mycelium carry whispers of a prehistoric plant language unknown to us and other evolved beings. Imagine if these silent conversations resonated in our world. What if, under cover of darkness, the trees found their voice and their dialogue echoed in a symphony only heard in the still of night? What stories would they share? What songs would they sing? Would they answer the timeless query, “If a tree falls in the forest, and there's no one around to hear it, does it make a sound,”? This question exploits the tension between perception and reality and urges us to step beyond human observation. Our art installation invites you into this secret world to question, listen, and perhaps hear the forest's untold tale.

Inside the Installation

Materials: Qlab Software, ETC – EOS System, DMX lighting controls system, ETC LED up programmable lighting, audio controlled lighting clusters, Studio produced 8 channel audio mix for individual trees

  • Working to embrace a more community-based talent approach, the team collaborated with the Children’s Theatre of Madison to write and record the script. Chromatix, a local a cappella group, recorded the singing portions. Electronic Theatre Controls helped with the overall design, programming, build, and lighting installation.

  • Each tree requires a unique and significant bundle of cables for audio, DMX lighting controls, 110VAC, 12VDC lighting controls, and ground and sound activated lighting. In other words, it takes a few miles of wire to bring this to life.

  • Each of the seven trees requires its own unique sound system and a variety of lighting technology to personify the environment. We recorded the audio in a professional recording studio in order to create the separation of the different tree characters.

  • Each tree was “interviewed” to understand its personality and what type of lighting would best bring its persona to life.

  • We didn’t really know what this was going to truly sound like until we installed it just days before the opening. Still holding our breath.

Artist Bio

Bruce Winkler

Bruce has been in product development and innovation strategy for the past 35 years. He creates, implements, and manages innovation programs with global creative teams for a wide array of local, national, and international concerns. His technical expertise, project management, and business acumen provide a unique approach to concept development and patentable solutions.

Recently, he has added light-focused artistic installations to his arsenal of innovative expression. His creativity and passion for lighting technology helps him push the envelope to create innovative, visually awe-inspiring, light-driven art installations.