A Google Tree
Digital artwork
By acquiring a limited-edition miniature of the artwork A Google Tree (Weinsbergpark Chestnut Bonsai), the Rieder Group demonstrates a strong commitment to cultural engagement and an openness to pioneering digital art forms. The original work – a collaborative project by Certain Measures and Clement Valla – is a life-sized sculpture of a tree, based on a 3D data interpretation from Google Earth. The project critically examines the impact of ubiquitous technologies such as Google Maps on our perception of the natural world.
Between illusion and reality
Google’s 3D models, primarily designed for man-made structures, inadvertently distort the representation of trees. One of these digital distortions has been translated into a physical sculpture, which, through its monumental scale and alien form, confronts viewers with the artificiality of digital nature representations. The aim is to provoke reflection on our technological dependency, climate change, and the gap between virtual representation and real-world experience through visual and physical dissonance. The project combines humour with critical thought and invites dialogue on the relationship between technology, environment, and perception. These “trees” are digital illusions – minimalist representations of nature, optimised for screen display and data transmission.
Through the acquisition of this work, Rieder not only showcases a sense of aesthetics but also of critical engagement: A Google Tree raises questions about the relationship between humans, nature, and technology – and the images we increasingly use to understand our world. The artwork thus embodies Rieder's core values: innovation, material consciousness, and cultural responsibility.