In the heart of Northern Thailand, where the whispers of tradition meet the pulse of modernity, an artwork named “The Decision Tree” stands as a testament to this harmonious dialogue. This is not just an art piece; it is a story, a journey, and a bridge between worlds.

The Roots of Tradition

My adventure began with a visit to Phumrapee Kongrit, a revered Thai artist and professor at Chiang Mai University. He’s not only a maestro of traditional Thai lacquer techniques but also a guardian of the Toxicodendron vernicifluum trees – the living wellsprings of natural lacquer. A trip to Omkoi with Phumrapee and fellow conservators opened my eyes to the Kerens people’s sustainable harvesting practices. They care for the trees, using lacquer for waterproofing woven bamboo dishes, as medicine, and in crafting jewelry such as bracelets. Witnessing the careful tapping of the trees’ sap, collected drop by precious drop in bamboo vessels, was an encounter with the pure essence of nature.

A Meeting of Minds and Material

Back in Chiang Mai, destiny introduced me to Sabine Zimpfer, a soulful art advocate from Germany, who, alongside her husband, had established Bluechips Microhouse Co. Ltd., an electronic manufacturing service company. Sabine envisioned a lacquer museum, an embodiment of her dream to blend art and heritage with technology. When I shared my aspiration to merge these realms through my art, our ideas resonated on a profound level.

The Birth of an Artwork

A tour through Bluechips Microhouse, where computer hardware is meticulously crafted, revealed a stark contrast to the forest’s tranquility yet felt surprisingly interconnected. After months of contemplation and enriching conversations with Sabine, a mentor and inspiring figure in my life, the concept for “The Decision Tree” took root.

This piece embodies a decision-making algorithm manifesting as an idea: to establish a donation box for the museum, embracing the concept of ‘open-source art’ to guarantee the museum’s accessibility for everyone, thus mirroring the inclusive and generous essence of museums and art.

The Decision Tree – An Interactive Experience

“The Decision Tree” is more than a static piece; it’s an interactive symbol of life’s choices. Embedded with a sensor, it detects human presence, awakening an LED strip that plays a symphony of colors on the lacquer surface. Programmed to transition every six seconds, the colors shift from dark to light, embodying the rhythm of inhalation and exhalation – the ebb and flow of decisions we face daily.

Find the technical documentation on my GitHub page.

A Guide for Life’s Crossroads

The decision tree algorithm within this piece is not just a programmed sequence; it is a metaphorical guide for life’s myriad decisions. Like the breath, it encourages viewers to inhale deeply, reflect on the spectrum of life’s colors, and exhale clarity into their choices.

In the “Decision Tree”, nature’s gift of lacquer and the precise byproducts of technology come together, symbolizing the decisions that have shaped my past year and guiding the museum’s future. It is a celebration of heritage, a nod to progress, and a mentor for all who stand before it, contemplating the colorful journey of life.