​This riddle has always fascinated me. It's all about the 'observing' and the actual 'reality' of the event. To me, it does make a sound but there is no one there to actually experience the sound. Without anyone actually being there, there is no way of proving this. Although with insects, animals and birds around at the time of the falling surely 'they' would have heard the fall!! The only way of proving the incident is the fact the tree is no longer upright but is now on the ground. The occurrence has left a physical mark on the landscape; the tree is physically no longer in the ground, it has been ripped or snapped away from its original positioning!  
I also think about the wind and the 'sound' of the wind. We only hear it because of the structures; trees, buildings, valleys etc. that it blows through. Without them the wind would not physically produce sound?!!
It is the physicality of these happenings that intrigue me. The traces that nature leaves on the landscape. The physical recording of the passing of time and the ever changing elements. 

'What is the tool you cant't live without and what are the tools of the future'

Above is one of the questions that was posed to the Make:Shift 2014 presenter. It got me thinking.
I would have to say my hands are the most important tools to me. Without them i would not be able to experience materials on a tactile level; to experience their materiality, makeup and consistency. The fine motor skills of hand and eye coordination presents this dexterity in my hands which enables me to make; to hold, to pinch, to touch, to feel. For me there is nothing more versatile than the hand; i am able to make and physically experience sense of awareness through them.
Tools of the future i suspect will be a combination of  the hand/voice/sound and digital technology. 

I came across this paper by Hans Gelter,Lulea University of Technology,  Sweden 
He writes about Friluftslive: the Scandanavian philosphy of outdoor life.
He explores the emotional aspect of being within the landscape and the response on a physical level to the beauty and tranquillity of rural locations. Being within beautiful and breathtaking landscapes and the emotional response from these moments of dwelling; a feeling of complete connection with the landscape on a spiritual level. Unique to Scandanavia, Norway and Sweden it is an important part of peoples everyday lives; a way of living close to the landscape. Most people who pursue friluftslive are urban people. The fast paced lives we lead are forcing people to look for a peace and tranquillity away from their urban living. 'Being' in nature is also to explore its resources.
There is a difference to being and experiencing the landscape and being a tourist within a landscape. A tourist consumes a place; they don't become emotionally connected to a place they put it on their list of having been there.
No matter what the weather a Frilufts person will embrace the place and accept the landscape in the state it presents itself; the rawness of the elements. They will participate to connect. 'Visitors' do not interact with nature they become observers and make nature into a museum.
Modern life has created a disconnection of society. We less and less interact on a physical level using technology to communicate ever more so. We have become less dependant on each other causing society to become more insular. Friluftslive can regain this connection. Often doing things together with family and friends, sharing experiences; travelling together, sitting around a camp fire; relying on each other and experience a connectedness!!  
There are not many 'real' moments in our busy lifestyles that we actually feel connected to something or experience a sensation of contentedness with the world......... 

This morning I picked blackcurrants from my blackcurrant bush. It was extremely peaceful. I was lost in the moment of this task. It was not a 'task' in a laborious or dullest way. The moment was sublime. It took me back to blackberry picking as a child. It felt like the right thing to be doing as if I was supposed to collecting food for myself, as my ancestors did.There was a feeling of complete contentedness a feeling of being in the right place at the right time. If only for a few moments. 

​www.natureandforesttherapy.org/uploads/8/1/4/4/8144400/friluftsliv_scandanavian_philosophy_of_outdoor_life.pdf 

To be there

• To open up your senses
• To harmonise with the rhythms of nature
• We live straight and ordered linear lives; the places we dwell as well as the day to day treadmill
• Our ancestors were so in tune with the rhythm of nature and the seasons.
• We have lost that connection, as life goes on regardless what time of year or time of day it is
• By experiencing nature on a physical and emotional level we are able to open up our senses and become aware of the patterns in nature.........
• .......to connect with our inner self and identify with the natural abilities we have within us.   

http://inhabitat.com/beautiful-perforated-facade-shields-an-office-from-indias-harsh-sun/punjab-kesari-headquarters-by-studio-symbiosis-2/

I am constantly drawn to surfaces and materials that are pierced and visually display contrasts of dark and light. These definitive differences somehow validate the reality of materiality.Clean simplistic linear and spherical lines prtray perfection. This architectural design by Studio Symbiosis is currently being constructed for the Punjab Keseri headquarters in Delhi. It not only looks good it's clever perforated facade is designed to maximises light and minimises heat gain and is based on traditional 'Jali' screens........
​  

http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/things-organized-neatly

Indiana designer Austin Radcliffe curates a blog showing images of everyday object neatly ordered according to size, shape, colour etc. He believes that by focusing on this process it generates a meditative state of mind, forcing the viewer to slow down and be contemplative amongst the chaos and clutter of every day life. He says"I think that taking time and care to adjust and arrange objects shows a certain time dedication, and therefore implies importance on the objects. The person arranging the items is inherently exercising his or her aesthetic preferences. Even if the objects are arranged scientifically, by size for instance, a pattern reveals itself. So neatly organizing a subject will give visual interest, and even function to the viewer. Precision is beauty."  I love the way that every single scrap of material has been accounted for. Nothing has gone to waste, every bit is important. The presentation of the work is definitely a way of concentrating the eye and mind into really 'looking' at the objects. This is something i will consider in the presentation of my work when exhibiting.