Arbor is the latest project by pianist Helena Basilova, alongside her creative partners Kenny Kneefel (aka Shoal) and Vincent Rang. In 2023, the trio collaborated on Monolith, an experimental installation inspired by chemical processes. This time, Arbor (Latin for tree) focuses on organic growth and branching, expressed through music and visuals.
Kenny Kneefel, known as Shoal, specializes in sound design and electronic music. Vincent Rang creates experimental visual art. Helena explains: “Our collaboration on Monolith was fantastic, so we wanted to continue working together. Vincent was already developing his own Arbor project, featuring software that generates stunning organic visuals inspired by the growth of plants and trees.
Arbor, meaning tree in Latin, aims to offer a new perspective on time, through the life of a tree. This living cathedral can be an instrument and vessel to inspire people to experience time in a deeper way, and in doing so, sparking a renewed sense of connection with our collective past, and our distant generational future.
By centering this work around the lifespan far beyond ours, as trees can live hundreds and sometimes thousands of years, I want to invite the viewer to reflect on time, and hopefully inspire a sense of deep time.
Helena composed a series of short piano cells as the foundation for Kenny Kneefel’s electronic explorations. Vincent Rang’s visuals will be displayed on a large transparent screen, with the grand piano at center stage, flanked by tables with laptops and equipment. Through Arbor, organic growth becomes both visible and audible.
Helena Basilova, piano
Kenny Kneefel, electronics
Vincent Rang, visuals
