20th Edinburgh Art Festival 2024

Around a Tree for the 20th Edinburgh Art Festival, Scotland

For the 20th edition of the Edinburgh Art Festival (EAF), Around a Tree brought together ecology, botany, and the arts at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) from 9th to 25th August 2024. At the heart of the project was a stunning 6-meter diameter circular table—crafted from the timber of a diseased Lebanese Cedar and built around a young Portuguese oak—that served as a hub for activities, accompanied by the evolving soundscape. The installation was activated through a programme of 34 events and together they attracted 4,490 visitors. Curated with support from the arts and ecology specialist Sina Ribak, the programme unfolded in three phases: Prepare the Ground, Growth, and Transformation.

Thanks to Partners
This ambitious installation and programme would not have been possible without the support of the Edinburgh Art Festival (EAF). Special thanks to Kim McAleese, Eleanor Edmondson, Elle Haswell, Levi Richards and the entire EAF team, especially Kylie Corwin, Lucie-Charlotte Benninghaus, Alex Porter, and Maisie Wills, who cared for the table. We also extend our gratitude to EAF’s photographers Tiu Makkonen and Chris Scott, as well as illustrator Jules Scheele. Additional thanks to Rhubaba, SCORE Scotland, Lavender Menace, and LGBTQ Youth Scotland for their enriching contributions to the programme. This collaboration included our partners at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE), particularly the Inverleith House team’s Amy Porteous and Eva Madden. From RBGE’s horticulture and science team, contributions included William Hinchliffe, Caitlyn Johnstone and Max Coleman. James Richardson’s ongoing involvement in Around a Tree and his expertise with cacao were also vital to the programme, as were the choir workshop led by Amy Leach with Amy Porteous, alongside Fernando Arias and Miguel Navas.

The magnificent table at the core of the project was expertly built by Jonny Taylor. Special thanks to Louise Hopkins for producing her print, Rout, that accompanied the installation. Thanks to Alex Marrs and Emma Henderson from Cove Park for their insights during the discussion on nature-based artists’ residencies. We are grateful to Anna Flemming for her thought-provoking contributions about rock climbing and to Brigitte Baptiste for her key role in reimagining our relationship with the natural world, through several talks and the festival’s closing ritual. Thanks to First Secretary, Adriana Sandoval Trujillo of the Colombian Embassy in London for supporting Brigitte Baptiste’s contribution. Heartfelt thanks go to the Around a Tree core team—Sina Ribak, Miguel Navas, and Mateo Suárez—for their commitment and passion throughout 2024.

Finally, we owe profound gratitude to the Portuguese Oak, the living centerpiece of the project, which provided a space for connection, dialogue, and transformation.