Manufactured forests
I always have a few personal projects going to give my eyes something to focus on as I move throughout my day. This project has a very simple rule, frame photos with two trees:
a tree that is connecting us to each other through nature, and
a “tree” that connects us digitally and virtually and systemically (simply put: a telephone pole)
Which brings me to the question I ask myself every time I see a frame I like. Which tree matters more to me?
Most days I want to ride into the mountains to escape from the noise of transformers and the visual pollution of wires and poles in my periphery. I want to escape from the reminder that we’re manufacturing connection that’s always been sitting right in front of us.
But a few years ago I missed family holidays because I got covid and didn’t want to fly and infect anyone, let alone my family. That year I called every family member I would have seen and talked with them, some of them on the phone and some of them “face to face” with video. I got off the last call and realized how much I appreciated the connection the other type of tree provides.
It wasn’t until the privilege of access and freedom was taken away that I was able to appreciate the connection the other type of tree provided. That’s not to disregard the privilege of access.
That experience years ago, and a few since then, have shown me how these manufactured forests can provide just as much benefit and connection as the other type of tree if we use and respect them carefully.
Yes, this one is missing the living tree, but it looks cool.