David Claerbout Wildfire (meditation on fire), 2019-2020

Despite its hyper realistic appearance, Wildfire (meditation on fire) is not a film shot on location. Originally conceived in 2019–20 for Musea Brugge, the 24-minute single channel video projection uses 3D computer techniques and a simple camera movement to depict a spectacular wildfire in an artificially rendered landscape. Moving at a very slow pace, views of a luscious forest slowly merge into dramatic—and hypnotic—still images of destructive flames. Projected on a large-scale free-standing screen, the work seems to absorb the viewer into its hellish scenery.