An online, collaborative project from Aaron Koblin and Chris Milk, and produced by Tate and Google that allows people to create their own animations is about to be installed at Tate Modern.

The drawings created by individuals are automatically combined to form trees with each drawing representing a branch and each response to a drawing forming another branch of that tree. And so the animation begins. The site’s drawing features harness Google Chrome’s HTML5, Java Script, Google App Engine and Google Cloud Storage.

From 23rd July, a selection of trees (pre-approved by Tate) will be installed on level 3 of Tate Modern as well as at the end of the ramp in the Turbine Hall. Gallery-goers will be able to initiate the animation by waving an infra-red pointer across a branch – similar to the functioning on the website. Visitors will also be able to create their own drawings on the third floor by using the Wacom tablets provided.

The Exquisite Forest is a lovely way to get people excited about, and involved in animation, as well as championing crowd-sourced and collaborative projects.  To make your own contribution to a tree and see already-existing animations, head here.