Forest as Gathering

Mangroves are where water meets the land - forests bridging two worlds.

In May 2024, a group of 30 activists and team members of Women’s Fund Asia gathered for a conversation on strategy and relationship-building as part of Women’s Fund Asia celebration of resourcing 20 years of feminist activism in Asia. Closer Than You Think’s Nida Mushtaq and Devi Leiper O’Malley designed the gathering through the metaphor of mangroves:

✨It is believed that mangroves originated in Southeast Asia and have existed for millions of years spreading their seeds all across the world by floating along ocean currents and tides, then rooting themselves in coastal areas.

💧They are remarkably tough and thrive in water that is 100 times saltier than what most other plants can tolerate.

🌱When a new seedling takes roots, it does not only grow an entire thicket but the land itself increases with it as the mud collects around the tangled roots.

🍃Mangrove forests are incredibly effective in rapidly reducing strong wind and waves as they pass through, and act as a powerful coastal defence against major storms and hurricanes as well as the impact of flooding.

Each of these is a fact, and holds true for what feminist movements make and endure.

Over two days, we collectively built on the mangrove metaphor as well as build a tree/forest installation in the room made from fabric, paper, yarn - and populated with notes on stories, trends, strategies, visions, hopes, commitments as made/witnessed by the activists via the movements they are part of. A mangrove soundscape with birds and insects was playing at individual reflection and break time - helping transport participants into a different realm to reflect on their work and connections across issues, communities, and regions.

The installation became a reflection of the forest that our movements are and/or ought to become to sustain and thrive. A visual reminder of our strategy as rooted in witnessing the natural world around us.

This work is part of an emerging studio at Closer Than You Think focused on trees, imagination, reflection, and participatory installation/immersive/interactive art. Stay tuned or get in touch if you want to learn more.