Louidgi Beltrame
The Walking Tree
2014
35mn, super-16 mm film transferred on HD video

Louidgi Beltrame films in16 mm a large banyan tree in the botanical gardens in Cal- cutta. This tree, whose distinctive feature is the way it spreads rhizome-like over sev- eral hundred yards, is approached like a forest of clones, a metaphysical space where histories re-surface: the history of the invention and parallel development of photog- raphy and telegraphy in the context of colonized India, Linnaeus’ dream according to Foucault, reminiscences of the films of Ritwik Ghatak and Satyajit Ray, where reality and fiction met.

Atelier Van Lieshout (AVL) is a multidisciplinary company that operates internationally in the field of contemporary art, design and architecture. AVL was founded in 1995 by Joep van Lieshout. The name Atelier Van Lieshout emphasises the fact that the works of art do not stem solely from the creative brain of Joep van Lieshout, but are produced by a creative team.

The works of art are practical, uncomplicated and substantial. The work varies from sculptures and, bathrooms and mobile home units to complete architectural refurbishments. One of the many applications and techniques used by AVL are the large polyester constructions in striking, bright colours. These polyester constructions, of which the large mobile home units are the best known, form the AVL trademark. For a number of years now the focus has no longer been on standardised, made-to-orde furniture r furniture, but has shifted to works of art that can be used for a selfsufficient and independent lifestyle. In addition to this development and the production of applied art, the Atelier also realises many autonomous art projects