Tzedakah Box II

Photo by Craig R Harris (2011)

An interactive sculpture by Craig Harris & Candy Kuehn

In many cultures there is a tradition of charity. However expressed, a spiritual aspect of charity is often central to the society's concept of love, justice and ethical behavior, linking the individual and the individual act of giving directly to the social fabric. In Tzedakah Box II individuals offer the gift of experience, wisdom and personal stories – fond memories, innermost thoughts, poignant moments and deep insights. True to the essence of Tzedakah, the offering is more than an act of charity; it is their responsibility as a member of society. This is a celebration of the interaction that integrates the individual into his or her community in a way that respects the value of what everyone has to offer, and provides an opportunity to listen and engage. Tzedakah Box II honors this creative tradition with seeded and gathered individual stories that combine and recombine into an immersive environment that changes with the viewer's interaction.

Twitter and our cell phone world community you-tubes acts of kindness, and asks for charity across the world. Ancient cultures and burials record kindnesses and acts of charity in stone and dirt. Our most poignant moments are woven into everyday life with songs and stories. Century by century they are told, retold, written and now made into movies and television. These spiritual and mythic combinations are human to human gifts of experience, wisdom and wit. This “tree of life” resonates with the echoes of the stories of all who crossed its path.

Artistic Team

Concept & Scenario: Craig Harris & Candy Kuehn
Tree sculpture & painted fabrics with digital imagery: Candy Kuehn
Sound composition: Craig Harris
Sound design and sound engineering support: Steve Goldstein
Electronic interface engineering: Paul Sobczak
Sculpture construction support: Kate McVoy, Elinor Auge, Susan Day, Lea Harris

Stories: Simoni, Tony, Sarah, Tom, Ariana, Maya, Wendy, Steve, Peggy, Pearl, Gini, Christi, Peter and Scott

Notes on Interaction

Tzedakah Box II is comprised of an ambient soundscape that is always playing echoes of stories from those who have previously visited the tree absorbed into the environment. There are five defined physical areas where participants can interact with the environment.

• Four of the five spaces have a tree knot (a button) that can be pressed to hear individual stories in that environment. The light turns on indicating that the stories are activated. Turn off the button when you leave the space to turn off the telling of stories in that environment.
• The fifth space is a story “play space,” and responds to physical motion in the space. Moving closer and further away from the two stumps (cone-shaped objects) on the tree transforms the sound.