Through the Eyes of Trees

Through the Eyes of Trees tells its story from the perspective of ancient trees "tree beings" who possess a kind of collective consciousness, akin to Carl Jung’s concept of the collective unconscious. Through root networks and bioelectrical signals, they witness humanity’s evolution from the Stone Age to industrialization. The tree beings emerge from reflections in water and row a boat, symbolizing nature’s quiet yet compassionate observation of human civilization. The narrative begins on an island where wheat is worshipped. Its uncontrolled growth and eventual collapse reflect Hua’s concern about systems driven by unchecked human desire.

As the tree beings journey through time, they observe uniformed people marching into towering golden buildings that eventually vanish into the clouds—symbols of progress turning into illusion. They then arrive in a desert, where a large-headed figure and a pregnant robot reenact a primitive hunt, which feels more like a surreal game as the prey turns into illusory bubbles. Eventually, the tree beings are drawn into the mouth of a carnivorous plant, surrounded by screens displaying human desires—greed, anger, ignorance. A cordyceps fungus grows in their eyes, raising the question: who truly controls the game? The answer remains elusive.