Prince Nikolaos of Greece and Denmark explores the connection between humans and nature in his new powerful photographic installation ‘Together’, currently on display as part of the London Design Biennale 2021 at Somerset House.
“Using an immersive installation, I explore how the pandemic has affected our view of the physical world and our space within it, forcing us to re-evaluate and alter human relationships, encouraging us back to our roots for inspiration,” he posted on social media.
Established in 2016 by Sir John Sorrell CBE and Ben Evans CBE, London Design Biennale promotes international collaboration and the global role of design with exhibitions and installations that ‘demonstrate the ambition to create universal solutions to problems which concern us all.’
Featured among the world’s most exciting and ambitious designers, is Prince Nikolaos’ work.
The immersive piece invites visitors to linger within a dimly lit installation featuring two illuminated, embracing olive trees reflected in mirrors and surrounded by sounds of Greek nature.
“In the almost silent space created by the dimmed light, only emanating from the artwork and its reflection, one can feel the stillness that we felt during this time of forced separation and detachment, with a background noise of calming nature. This serves as a reminder to be still and listen to nature and our environment, as it resonates through space and eventually – through us,” the artist added.
The two trees that star in ‘Together’ were inspired by Nikolaos’ visit to Milos in 2018.
“The installation investigates the natural treasure emanating from Greek soil: the olive tree. Not much has changed in the way we grow and harvest olive trees from ancient times until today. There are olive trees in Greece which are over 2,500 years old, participating in human history and standing guard, as witnesses, of everything that connects us with our past,” Prince Nikolaos continued.
Despite appearing as a single scene, the artist revealed that the installation is in fact 18 images digitally assembled into one.
“What I did is focus very closely on different parts of the tree, to stitch all these photographs together – so as to then get this large image, which I could blow up and still have it very crisp. You can see every tiny little leaf in the olive tree,” he told Tatler.
“Walking through the illuminated ancient trees is like walking through a pathway that connects our past, present and future.”
