Fake Nature Box
Phyllis Baldino Fake Nature Box four-channel synced video installation
Fake Nature Box
2021
four-channel synced video installation
05:25:10 minutes

Nature has been artificially depicted for centuries. From nineteenth century grand-scale landscape painting, to nineteen seventies wallpaper, from still lifes to shower curtains, the artificial depiction of "fake nature" is ubiquitous. Artificial nature is everywhere. The more we look the more we see. With climate change on a steady rise, at this rate, we may only end up with fake nature.

"Fake Nature Box" is a four-channel synced video installation about this very thought, having only fake nature left. I started this project by simply going shopping. There are endless objects in the nature category for purchase, some obvious, others stylized or abstract. It was an organic process to create the shoots for this piece, while at the same time making rules during production, which I often do. This time I did not want my hands or any other part of my skin used as a recognizable object in motion. Humans are not fake objects so it was important to not be easily recognized. That said, there is only 1 clip using part of my body. The actions often had a layer of chance during shooting due to the fact that I was using my hands indirectly. This created elements of surprise, which were welcome. All of the 23 clips were filmed alone in my studio. The audio fragments often suggest nature yet the viewer may not immediately recognize the source. This fragmented perception of sound and object draws a haunting parallel to our seemingly abrupt and somehow unexpected experience of natural disasters even though climate change has long been a known entity.

(video still)

Fake Nature Box
2021
four-channel synced video installation
05:25:10 minutes

Installation excerpt - 3D simulation