Kew Gardens is about to get a serious tech upgrade. This May, Marshmallow Laser Feast—the London-based immersive art collective—brings its visionary magic to Kew with ‘Of the Oak’, an interactive digital installation that will quite literally change how we see trees. Blending cutting-edge technology with real-world ecological data, the project unveils the hidden life of Kew’s legendary Lucombe oak, one of the garden’s most ancient trees.
Opening on 3 May 2025, this groundbreaking experience marks Kew’s first-ever outdoor digital art commission—because, of course, the future of botanical storytelling had to start with a six-metre-high LED portal in the middle of nature.
A mesmerising fusion of nature and technology
Forget staring at trees—this one stares back. ‘Of the Oak’ is a 12-minute interactive video installation that immerses visitors in the seasonal transformation of the Lucombe oak. Using LiDAR scanning, high-resolution photogrammetry, and even Ground Penetrating Radar (yes, that’s a thing), the installation visualises the tree’s underground root system, the carbon cycle, and the 2,300 species that depend on it.
Unlike your average stroll through the gardens, this one invites you to move. As you walk past the installation, your movements influence the oak’s visualisation on-screen. The experience doesn’t stop there—Marshmallow Laser Feast has also created an online guided breathing meditation designed to sync your breath with the tree’s natural rhythms. Ever wanted to inhale and exhale like an oak? Now’s your chance.
More than just a tree
The Lucombe oak is one of Kew’s oldest and most resilient trees, with a history dating back to 1762. Originally planted on Syon Vista, it was literally uprooted and moved in 1845 because it didn’t fit landscape designer William Nesfield’s aesthetic vision. Now, 180 years later, it’s getting another transformation—this time, into a digital, interactive masterpiece.
To create this high-tech tribute, Marshmallow Laser Feast collaborated with scientists and horticulturists at Kew, using advanced imaging technology to map every inch of the oak’s structure. This project isn’t just about pretty visuals—it’s about revealing the deep, often unseen connections between trees, ecosystems, and humanity.
Sit back, breathe, and connect with the natural world
To deepen the experience, visitors can explore open-eyed meditations created by leading writers, including Daisy Lafarge, Merlin Sheldrake, Ella Saltmarshe, and Laline Paull. These reflective soundscapes encourage audiences to pause, breathe, and contemplate their connection to nature.
Beyond the installation, an online field guide offers a deeper dive into the oak’s ecosystem. By scanning QR codes placed throughout Kew Gardens, visitors can unlock hidden stories about the thousands of species that rely on these trees for survival—because trees are so much more than just nice background scenery for a picnic.
Art, science, and digital wizardry collide
This project isn’t just about showcasing the beauty of trees—it’s about reshaping how we experience them. Through visual storytelling, interactive technology, and real-world ecological research, ‘Of the Oak’ offers a rare glimpse into the unseen rhythms of nature.
Following in the footsteps of previous Kew art commissions by Marc Quinn, Matt Collishaw, Rebecca Louise Law, and Dale Chihuly, this digital masterpiece blends art, ecology, and technology in a way that’s both awe-inspiring and urgently relevant.
Plan your visit
Step into the unseen world of Kew’s Lucombe oak
📅 Opening Date: 3 May 2025
📍 Location: Kew Gardens, London
🎟️ Tickets: Included with Kew Gardens entry
Whether you’re a nature lover, a tech geek, or just someone who enjoys trippy visuals in a botanical setting, ‘Of the Oak’ is an unmissable experience.
