The Tree Walker - Balancing On The Edge Between Earth and Sky
![]()
One day I was looking at the sky out of the window of my 4th floor studio. I could see the tree tops above the window frame. In my imagination I saw myself like a projection balancing almost weightlessly on the highest and most fragile branches. Sinking deep into that dream, reeling; afraid of falling, pushing the thought away, I moved forward over the canopy’s thinnest branches.
Inspired by my daydream, I will recreate the image of The Tree Walker cinematically. The Tree Walker is in the preliminary stage of becoming a 16mm film. You will see a sea of leaves, the sky and in between me walking seemingly weightless over the highest and most fragile branches of the forest’s canopy layer. I am aiming for it to be screened as an independent film, and as a looped projection within the context of a gallery installation.
I first learned tree climbing – a special rope climbing technique to understand the architecture of a tree, to be able to think of how that day dream could be realized Since then I successfully made numerous approaches, in research and actualization to achieve that goal, for example by climbing to the absolute edge of a tree top, as documented in the artworks / images available as Perks here in this campaign. You can find more info at thetreewalker.com
How we will use your support
This project is already underway. An R&D grant from Fonds BKVB Amsterdam (now known as the Mondriaanfonds) has helped me lay the groundwork, acquire necessary skills and make the proper research.
Meanwhile, funding is starting to come forward from corporate, private foundation, and civic sources. A production team is in place, we have done site visits and prepared detailed plans.
The Tree Walker is a independent film / art work overseen by me together with the project manager and co-producer. I am determined to make this project happen and I'll do it professionally and in partnership with great people and organizations. You, as an essential part of the plan, will get frequent updates as the event approaches.
A preliminary rain-date for filming in Gabon is set to November 2014. This rain date depends on the success of this campaign. If for some other technical or unforseeable reason the project can't be completed, it will only be delayed, not canceled. We need your help to fly the crew and equipment to Gabon, to pay cinematographers, a balloon specialist and lay plans to get ’The Tree Walker' out in the world so that it can touch and reach the broadest audience possible.
Timeline
- June: Crowdfunding Campaign
- June-September: Pre-production
- September: Certifications, Visas
- November: 12 days shooting in Gabon Afrika
- August-December: Perks ship to Backers
The Perks
There are all kinds of beautiful Perks available to supporters: Postcards; posters; Tote Bags; limited edition photographic prints on Fine Arts Paper and big Canvas Prints of Gabon Africa. I'm also offering a dinner at my studio in Berlin, a chance to get your name on the canopy ballon, and one lucky donor can go with us to Gabon Africa, a one of a kind art experience that will stay with you for a lifetime!
Photo Postcard of Christoph at the outer edge of the tree top
![]()
Dossier/Poster
![]()
![]()
Canvas Tote Bag
![]()
Infrared Photo Print. A3(29,7x42cm)
![]()
Photo Print on fine art paper. A2(42x59,4cm)
Choose between color and black&white.
![]()
![]()
Canvas Print. (60x90cm)
![]()
Perks of Gabon
Imagine Christoph balancing on the canopy, weightlessly walking over the treetops. The photo below shows one of the possible locations for the shooting in Gabon. We will fly down a professional photographer to document Christoph’s performance, as well as to take stunning photographs for our supporters.
Six of the best images will be presented for you to chose from. These images will only be available on Indiegogo, in a Triptych (each photograph 42x59,4cm) or printed on a canvas (70x100cm)
![]()
Moment Of Clarity. (69x73cm)
material: handblown glass, photo emulsion, neon
This artwork came about through research and development of The Tree Walker Project. The handblown glass plate shows how Christoph is trying to defy gravity by climbing to the outer end of the branches.
![]()
Promote you name/company/logo!
![]()
Thanks for checking out our project.
Help us make this a success and share this project with everyone you know. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks for your time.
Sincerely,
Christoph Both-Asmus