Heather Hesterman and Amanda Hawkey 

TreeGazing was a walking event, part of Melbourne Design Week 2020 and invited people to reimagine the city within a specific focus, framed by trees. As part of the AEGIS research network, these walks generated by artist Heather Hesterman and Yoga teacher Amanda Hawkey provided a connection to peripatetic practice, art and nature aimed at deceleration, noticing surroundings and creating associations with established green spaces and urbanized trees. 

The walks provide an opportunity for strangers to walk together as a temporary community observing garden features, design layout and established trees in one of the oldest gardens in Melbourne, Fitzroy Gardens. The route passed Treasury Gardens in a silent procession observing avenues of Morten Bay Figs. With a nod to Shinrin Yoku, “Forest Therapy” participants experienced green mindfulness as they rested on recycled matts to gaze up and contemplate majestic arboreal canopies. 

The aim, whilst admiring the importance of plants, was to counter ‘plant blindness’ by drawing attention to trees, offering an opportunity for people to make connections with plant and trees as ‘making-kin’ (Haraway, 2016) whilst facilitating a ‘green mindfulness’, highlighting the importance of biophilic design as we experience climatic changes. 

TreeGazing was cancelled after one walk due to covid19, however other city and urban walks are planned.