Supertree 2017

Here is the audio guide script: This is Beeple's "Supertree," a digital rendering that immediately calls to mind the ancient symbol of the World Tree, a motif central to countless cultures. Across civilizations, from the Norse Yggdrasil to the Tree of Life in various mythologies, the tree represents the interconnectedness of all things, a conduit between the earthly and the divine. Notice how Beeple’s tree twists skyward, its form echoing the striving for enlightenment. We see in historical tapestries, and illuminated manuscripts, how the tree is depicted as a symbol of cosmic order. Consider the psychological weight of this symbol: it taps into our collective memory of nature's life-giving force. The swirling, almost turbulent structure might subtly evoke a sense of unease, reminding us of nature's untamed power. The World Tree is a potent symbol, continuously resurfacing in our collective consciousness, each time reimagined to reflect the anxieties and aspirations of a new era.