On November 24, 2012, Alissa Walker wrote the article, "L.A. arboretum turns wind-toppled trees into artistic windfall", in the Los Angeles Times. Last year, from November 30 until December 2, the Santa Ana winds tore through the Los Angeles County area. It resulted in roofs being pulled off of homes, snapped power lines, and 350,000 residents living in a blackout for a week. However, the greatest effect was on the trees of the Los Angeles County, which were torn from their roots or snapped in half. The Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden found 235 trees destroyed, and over 1,000 damaged. The value and species of wood gave scientists the opportunity to be able to study them in the three weeks that those areas where the trees had fallen were closed, as well as artists. Artists began asking the scientists if they could borrow the wood that was left behind. Over 130 artists, furniture designers, and wood turners collected the wood remains, turned them into either artworks, bowls, tables, sculptures, games, or jewelry, and then gave them to the arboretum, so that they could put it on display. "Forces of Nature", ironically happening on November 30-December 2, is an exhibition that features certain works from over seventy five artists. The artists have agreed to give some of the proceeds to the arboretum, and some have pledged all of their proceeds into buying new trees.
This is pretty cool that they were able to salvage the city's trash into something that looks like art. It is an excellent way to preserve the wood and show to people that environment is important too in these harsh times. I am glad that they are working to put it on display to raise money, and hopefully that money will be used to plant more trees. I also hope, the city works strongly with them to get events like this done easily.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea to make use of trees that were eventually going to go to waste. Im sure the artists spent a great amount of time making these innovative pieces of art. It is my first time seeing tree barks being used as pieces of art in a large scale. Making tree art is a productive way to raise money for the city. It saves trees, makes beautiful pieces of art out of them, and gives the city the much needed money.
ReplyDeleteIt is relieving to see that hundreds of trees are not going to waste. After all, these trees are huge and have probably been there for hundreds of years. This just comes to prove that we can not control mother nature although, we can make the best out of our situation. The innovative artists who came up with many ways to design the wood took advantage of this opportunity. However, some artists were generous enough to donate most of their profits to the planting of new trees. This is highly respectable and a great way to repair some of the environmental damages caused by these strong winds.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fascinating way to recycle, reuse, reduce. Using destroyed trees is a magnificent idea. Even though the trees were tragically torn from their roots, at least this way they are used for a different more appealing way. Trees are a vital part to life and leaving trees to rote is not the right choice. This way the trees can be displayed in an artistic manner and the city can get funds to replace those lost trees!
ReplyDeleteCannot be more eco-friendly than this. Losing that many trees during the Santa Ana winds last year was tragic, but it is nice to hear that thousands of trees did not go to waste. Turning the wood from the trees into furniture, jewelry, sculptures, and artwork is an innovative idea. On top of that, these artists returned their finished products and created an exhibition called "Forces of Nature." During the exhibition they will sell these products and raise money for the city to repair all the damages from the winds. I am sensing a new trend. It would be a cool idea if the wood and other materials are used in creative ways to raise money for the city that went through a minor disaster like this.
ReplyDeleteThe art projects that were made from the trees were fairly creative and innovative. The artists made something out of a useless product. The tree was dead, after it got pulled out of its roots, but the scientists and artists were able to give life to a lifeless object. I am very impressed by that fine piece of artwork showed above the blog, where the tree bark is turned into an interesting piece of art that is interactive to the viewer as well. The Santa Ana winds were horrible to the environment, as they were able to remove trees, plants from their roots and mess with mother nature. The scientist who approached the area were able to study the pieces of wood and the artists were able to toy with and make beautiful artwork. What I loved the most was the generous notion some of the artists portrayed by sending all the proceedings they received from the artwork into buying new trees. This way, through beautiful art, the government would get funded to purchase new trees that were lost last year during the Santa Ana winds. Trees are the centerpiece for life and provide us with oxygen, and are necessary for life to continue on planet earth.
ReplyDeleteSomething out of nothing perfectly suits this article. Unfortunately many trees were destroyed due to the powerful Santa Ana winds last year, but on the bright side they were put to an amazing use. The trees were used to create tables, sculptures, jewelry, bowls, and more. Also, it is great to hear that the finished products were returned and given to the exhibition. This is a fabulous idea to get back on your feet after a natural disaster and help the art industry.
ReplyDeleteThe art projects that were done by these creative artists were exceptionally fascinating. I am truly happy to see that people care about their environment and natural resources. Yes, the winds ruined numerous homes and trees, but the people did not allow this to ruin the environment. They made creations that are unique and interesting. Im sure ever person would love to look at these when they were put on display because they are innovative. These artists made a correct choice by giving some of the money they earned to the government. Trees are important resources in nature because they provide us with oxygen, and by helping the government put more trees, we would be saving our world. This article, as a whole, describes how these benign people never lost hope. They could have easily been depressed of the ruins, but that would not make them as productive as they were with making those art products. I wish that our world continues to be caring like this in the future!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIt is very sad how unexpected natural disasters end up destroying so many beautiful trees that had been around for so long. Fortunately intelligent and productive artists saved the trees by turning them into art pieces that everyone can enjoy. Their creations are unique and very appreciated because trees are vital sources, therefore leaving them in ruins would have made the cause even worse than it actually was. It is examples of innovative usage of natural resources. These trees should be a model for other natural disasters.
ReplyDeleteIt is really interesting that people have made the natural disaster a positive situation instead of a negative one. They have made the trees that have been destroyed into useful items for others to use. That is a very creative and smart move from the many who have spent time making the furniture. This could be an example for others who have had a natural disaster in their town or country.
ReplyDeleteIt is truly amazing what good people are capable of. The happiness on that mans face is from an artist doing what he/she loves to do. Turning this dangerous occurrence into something beautiful and unique takes creativity and a lot of strength. This strength comes from the ability to take something that is terrible and looking at it in a different and truly inspiring way. The world needs more people who are able to look forward.
ReplyDeleteI am glad to see that we have many creative people in this world who come up with ideas such as this. It is an excellent idea that others should take into consideration and use as an example as well. Not only did it provide art and entertainment with its unique style, but it also put the trees to a great use instead of wasting these important resources we need in our environment. These trees also provided scientists a chance to study them and collect new facts for future generations to learn about. For once, trees are seen as valuable because it created all of this artwork. It is nice to see that the outcome of the natural disaster was not entirely devastating, but productive with a satisfactory and wonderful outcome.
ReplyDelete