A Google Tree
Digital artwork
By acquiring a limited-edition miniature of the artwork A Google Tree (Weinsbergpark Chestnut Bonsai), the Rieder Group makes a powerful statement about its cultural commitment and openness to forward-thinking digital art forms. The original piece – 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 explores how pervasive technologies like Google Maps shape our perception of the natural world.
Between illusion and reality
Google’s 3D models, primarily optimized for man-made structures, unintentionally distort the depiction of trees. One of these digital distortions was brought to life as a physical sculpture, whose larger-than-life scale and uncanny form confront viewers with the artificiality of digital representations of nature. The goal is to inspire reflection on our technological dependence, climate change, and the divide between virtual representation and real-world experience through visual and physical disruption. The project blends humor with critical insight and encourages dialogue about the relationship between technology, the environment, and human perception. These “trees” are digital illusions—minimalist representations of nature, optimized for screens and data transmission.
By acquiring this work, Rieder not only demonstrates an appreciation for aesthetics but also for critical discourse: A Google Tree raises important questions about the relationship between humans, nature, and technology—and the images through which we increasingly understand the world. The work reflects Rieder’s core values: innovation, material awareness, and cultural responsibility.