Econtinuum

Instrumentation: Vibraphone 4-Hands

Duration: 12'​

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Premiere: MouSai Duo (Sophia Lo, Maddie Wallace) - July 31, 2025

Program Notes

Econtinuum is based on a sculpture of the same name by Eco-Artist Thijs Biersteker, in collaboration with Biologist Stefano Mancuso. I first saw this work two years ago in Geneva at the Musée d’ethnographie de Genève and ever since have been fascinated with Biersteker’s work. Econtinuum is a sculpture that showcases two trees communicating through their root systems. It allows the viewer to see how the trees help, warn, and support each other. The sculpture is made from 3D-printed recycled plastics and features pathways of light showcasing information being passed through the roots. The room that the work is housed in also contains sensors measuring factors such as carbon dioxide levels, humidity, and temperature. The trees communicate with each other as their environment changes, meaning the display changes as people move in and out of the space. 

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What interests me most about this work is how it showcases dialogue not only between the two trees, but also between the people who visit the exhibit. It shows how we, as humans, are in constant conversation with our natural surroundings, even if we don’t always realize it. The sculpture teaches us that we must work with nature, not against it, as we are all existing in the same ecosystem. The first movement of this piece, Tree Chatter, works to showcase the dialogue between the two trees. The constant ostinato symbolizes the never-ending nature of this interaction, as new information is constantly being sent and received via the roots. I hope that the sound world of this movement, its metallic and sparkling nature, also visually evokes the sculpture. Movement two, Chorale for Our Planet, invites humanity into the conversation, as we meditate on our shared future on this planet.