Paul put something on Facebook today that I had to share: artist Peter Cook’s living chair, eight years in the making.
This takes topiary to a new level. Like people who created rock sculptures from flowing water in China, a process that could take generations, the people who do this kind of tree shaping have to be patient.
No overnight results. We are not talking about boxwood pagodas cut with shears. No elephants rampant. I am reminded, rather, of a bench at my grandfather’s in Beverly Farms. This bench got started when my mother was a child and a board was fastened between two saplings. As time passed, the growing trees drew the board into their thickening trunks until, by the time I was a child, there was a very sturdy seat in the woods.
Wikipedia says, “Tree shaping has been practiced for at least several hundred years, as demonstrated by the living root bridges built and maintained by the Khasi people of India. … Contemporary designers include ‘Pooktre’ artists Peter Cook and Becky Northey, ‘arborsculpture’ artist Richard Reames, and furniture designer Dr Chris Cattle, who grows ‘grownup furniture.’ ” Everything you need to know about the history and practice of tree shaping is at Wikipedia, here. And be sure to check out Pooktre, too.
Photo: Blacklash and www.pooktre.com
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