At the heart of this project is the ancient Shinmei-gu-no-Ookeyaki, a thousand-year-old Japanese zelkova tree with a circumference of 7.83 meters, standing as a symbol of resilience and life. By placing subtle sensors on its branches, we capture the tree’s natural movements—its way of communicating with the world around it. These movements are transformed into real-time visuals, giving a voice to the tree and allowing its energy to resonate far beyond the shrine.

In gallery 5 of the museum, an indoor garden featuring tall plants creates an intimate space for visitors to connect with nature. A raised black platform leads to a monolithic structure embedded with an LED screen, which displays the visuals generated from the tree’s movements. This living dialogue immerses visitors in the rhythms of the natural world, creating a serene and contemplative environment.

“Talking God” celebrates the innate ability of plants to communicate, giving them a platform to express their presence and vitality. By bridging the sacred and the modern, the installation inspires reflection on the interconnectedness of all life, inviting visitors to listen to the silent yet profound messages of nature. Through this innovative fusion, the ancient tree’s wisdom becomes a universal language, spoken through the lens of technology, reaching both the mind and the soul.