Yesterday, I was slogging through my morning run when I decided to take a different route than the one I normally choose. I detoured off my normal path and was pleasantly rewarded with the above image. I actually had to stop and take a closer look. It is a handmade mask that has been nailed onto a tree along a bike/pedestrian path in Denver. It looks like a tree spirit or something. It almost seems like its author either saw this particular tree and crafted this mask especially for this spot, or made the mask and then looked for the perfect tree.
To be honest, I tried to remove the mask, but it is nailed into the tree fairly well. I decided it would be rude of me to remove it and it is better to leave it for others to enjoy or discover. Motorists and most likely bikes are moving to fast to notice the tree spirit mask, but pedestrians certainly can’t help but notice if their eyes and minds are open.
It reminded me of an article about geocaching in yesterday’s Denver Post. Is it defacing public property to leave something for someone else to find? Or is it a benefit because it might get more people into the great outdoors? The author of the article argued several points including that in this age of terrorism, people should not leave “suspicious” packages laying about either for geocachers to find. This mask might also qualify as suspicious…what’s behind the mask? A possible liquid bomb? I take the view that the US is being overly hyper sensitive when it comes down to our terrorist policies…the authorities are playing to our fears.
I’m pleased that the artist left something behind for others to find. I’m not sure how long it will survive in its current position, but will venture off my safe path more often in the hopes of bringing the unexpected to my day!
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