TRE TRE TRE is an artistic network that brings together a series of processes and experiments situated in three different forest regions in the North Eastern corner of the Nordic countries. The forests of Pasvik, Paljakka and Temminki-Markkatieva are located at a distance of approximately 800 km from each other. Together they form a triangle.
Here, fieldwork is being conducted by small groups of artists and various other knowledge carriers. As we return to the forest with artistic tools, methods and gestures, we contribute towards weaving vessels of sensual knowledges, resting in forest-human relationships, and founded on the basis of each contributor's particular practice and interest. As the processes gradually ground the work within these places, they make physical and imaginary connections between the three forest localities. They gradually perform a triangulation.
‘Triangulation’ is a term used in different fields. In the arts it is recently used to addressing non-binary positions and worldviews. Three, as a number, is considered auspicious – and even sacred – in most mystical traditions. In physics, the number is too large to describe, while the mathematics says to prove its existence. In some indigenous languages, only the numbers one and two exist, while the number after two indicates 'more'. Many words with the prefix tri- also have the meaning of more than two (e.g. the word Tribe).
As a method, triangulation is a three-point-approach used in both sociology and geometry. In cartography, it is an outdated method from when land surveyors physically measured and staked out elevations and distances using optical devices and physical measuring sticks (now replaced by GPS and trilateration). This mirrors the acts of TRE TRE TRE, where bodies and instruments are physically placed and in motion in the forest.
¬In TRE TRE TRE, one will partially contribute to the simple principle of triangulation: That observation from more than two points provides a richer opportunity to understand phenomena.