The first chapter of botanical guides about trees often includes an attempt to define what a tree is: a task that, according to the biologist Francis Hallé, should be entrusted to philosophers. Through a publication in the form of a portable slideshow, I present research on arboreal metaphors and lay out arguments explaining why most of them are obsolete.

This research expands without establishing hierarchies between different theoretical studies in the humanities — Deleuze, Calvino, Dümpelmann — scientific research in the field of urban arboriculture — Wohlleben, Drénou, Hallé — and artistic representations in which the tree acquires a special meaning — Perejaume, Abramović, etc. The format of the publication is inspired by the notebooks used by tour guides. There are two ways of approaching the book: as a reader — also reading the “presenter’s notes” — or as an attendee at one of the presentations, where only the images are shown, accompanied by a guided walking tour.

Photo by: Aina Canyelles