3Days|2Nights

Dr. Joanna Vestey (Photographic Artist & Activist)

⭕ Insight: Temperate rainforests once covered as much as 20% of the UK, but now just 1% remain, making them the most endangered rainforests in the world.

🟢 Service: I delved deep into the UK’s temperate rainforests supporting the formidable photographer and activist Dr Joanna Vestey PhD in the development of this on-going body of work.

Joanna has travelled the breadth of the UK, making images in each of the remaining rainforests and recording sound in situ.

Exhibited as a collection of nine large-scale works for the first time at Fitzrovia Chapel, Joanna’s work explores the critical need for a paradigm shift in how we value these ecosystems and the urgent need for conservation of these ancient forests.

“Made over the last two years, 3Days|2Nights reminds us of the healing power of Britain’s temperate rainforest and the fragility of these rare ecosystems. The resulting photographs made on film using a large - format camera, were made by leaving the shutter open in the forest for at least two-hours in each case.”

Exploring the concept of shinrin-yoku (“forest bathing” or “taking in the forest atmosphere”) a Japanese relaxation practice and form of ecotherapy, extensive research by the world's most foremost expert on forest medicine, Dr Qing Li, shows that after extensive physiological testing, exposure to a forest environment for two hours (ideally more) is beneficial mentally and physically.

After four to six hours’ exposure our immune functions are boosted for one week and after, 3Days|2Nights, changes occur on a cellular level that boost our immune functions for up to 30 days.

The exhibition was paired with an immersive sound installation evolved from the recordings made in situ, echoing the sound of the forest, created in collaboration with Liza Bec and Cee Haines.

During the week there were a selection of specially curated events. With ongoing research and wellbeing surveys measuring the effects on visitors mood and how connected to nature they feel, including workshops with children from London schools in collaboration with AT The Bus.

Curated by Katy Barron, the exhibition is in partnership with Thousand Year Trust and generously sponsored by Arts Council England.