Ancestral Wise Trees
November 7, 2025
Concept
Inspired by the art of projecting faces onto tree canopies, this installation creates a poetic space for dialogue with the wisdom of the forest. People can talk to and ask questions of the tree, which shares ancestral wisdom through stories, myths, and fables inspired by the traditions of indigenous peoples.
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How it Works
An obelisk-shaped totem, equipped with a high-resolution projector, is installed near a large tree in a public park.
Projection: Ancestral faces are projected onto the tree canopy, revealing its living and welcoming presence.
Sound: Discreet speakers installed among the branches give voice to the spirit of the tree.
Interaction: A microphone on the trunk captures questions from the public, which are interpreted by artificial intelligence trained to communicate the ancestral wisdom of forest peoples.
Living narratives: Answers in the form of stories, proverbs, and regenerative teachings are transmitted in real time, connecting the urban public to profound and often invisible knowledge.
Objectives
To make the ancestral wisdom of the forest peoples accessible through an artistic and immersive experience.
To generate empathy, respect, and awareness about the importance of indigenous and riverside cultures.
To raise awareness of the urgency of preserving forests and biodiversity.
To create a public space for contemplation and spiritual reconnection with nature.
To inspire changes in mindset regarding our role as guardians of life on the planet.
References
Philippe Echaroux (2016): Projections of indigenous faces onto Amazonian trees, in partnership with leader Almir Narayamoga Suruí, to denounce deforestation and land invasion.
Roberta Carvalho: Projection of faces of people with rare diseases onto trees in São Paulo, uniting art, health, and social awareness.
Aldelina Oliveira (Belém – Guamá Project): Projection of faces of riverside dwellers, highlighting the way of life and worldview of Amazonian communities.
Solution Context
We live in an era of intense environmental degradation: almost 10 million hectares of forest are lost every year, equivalent to 30 football fields per minute. This devastation causes loss of biodiversity, soil erosion, climate change, water crises, and the violent expulsion of forest peoples from their territories. Reference
The hegemony of colonial, patriarchal, and extractive culture marginalizes and erases the knowledge of these peoples. However, their wisdom is essential for us to learn again how to live in harmony with the Earth.
The Ancestral Wise Trees project rescues and amplifies this knowledge, translating it into contemporary and accessible language, giving the forest its voice back in the heart of cities.
Taking Action
Criteria to ensure implementation with greater ethics, legitimacy, and impact should follow the following principles:
Conduct co-design of the project with communities (Indigenous leadership at all stages). In particular, in defining what types of content will be included (public stories vs. sacred knowledge), how they will be annotated, and who will have access.
The governance and licensing model should place rights and control in the hands of the communities (e.g., data ownership, usage limits).
Technical transparency (knowing what data was used, how the model responds, decision logs).
Restricted and sensitive uses: language preservation, archiving stories, support for environmental management, and — when appropriate — artistic experiences approved by the community.
Practical steps for implementation:
Select urban parks with large trees and good public circulation.
Develop the totem-projector with generative AI technology trained on ancestral narratives (with Indigenous supervision and curation).
Create initial interaction scripts to stimulate questions and dialogues.
Hold inauguration events with collective listening and sharing ceremonies.
Integrate the installation into educational programs, workshops, and guided tours.
Potential Partners
Indigenous and riverside organizations (Maracá Institute / Museum of Indigenous Arts, APIIB, COIAB, Raoni Institute).
Cultural institutions (Sesc, Itaú Cultural, Goethe-Institut).
Urban parks and municipal departments of environment/culture.
Environmental NGOs (WWF, Greenpeace, Amazon Watch).
Creative technology and projection companies (Christie Digital, Epson, AR/VR studios).
Art and socio-environmental impact funds.