As a real coup for Leeds we partnered with The Wellcome Collection to bring their touring exhibition ‘Regarding Forests’ to the Thackray Museum of Medicine’s pop-up exhibition space. Regarding Forests evoked an atmosphere of tranquillity and provided visitors with a space to rest and relax. Visitors learnt about photographer Chrystel Lebas’ travels to the Hoh Rain Forest in Washington State, USA, and the Japanese island of Yakushima, known for its cedars. Translating the sublime power of these ancient forests, Lebas’ installation sought to provide a restorative encounter that reminds us of our reliance on the natural world.
Lebas’ photographs were accompanied by a soundscape composed with the noises of birds, monkeys and wind recorded on location. The installation was complemented with a scent of petrichor that evokes the smell of the forest floor after it has rained. Together the sounds, sights and smells of the rainforest created an immersive space for visitors to explore the idea of tranquillity.
Laura Sellers 