Whispering trees

The images from Robbyn's presentation on 3D/installation art have stayed in my brain since Tuesday. I'm really interested in the aspect that has to do with creating spaces that evoke a specific response. I loved the photos of the Cardburg event and Kurt Schwitters' Merzbau.

One memory of an installation art experience that is imprinted on my brain is from back in 1996 or 1997 at the Centre Pompidou in Paris. I don't know the artist's name, but someone had created a small forest in the stone courtyard in front of the museum, with row upon row of fir trees - not decorated, just plain. As you walked through the trees, there were voices whispering "Merry Christmas" in different languages, and you could smell the scent of pine. I remember it being quite magical. Not very universal from a cultural standpoint, but quite lovely.

A couple years ago I also heard someone describe an experience that sounded pretty intense: It was at a world's fair like event, somewhere in Europe - maybe Switzerland. They had created an installation in a huge square structure where a small bridge led out to a wooden boat in the middle of the space. The boat was surrounded by water and there was a constant thundering pour of rain. The intent was to simulate The Flood, as in biblical. The woman who described it said it left her speechless. I will try to see if I can get more info...