I found art!!!
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!
August 22nd, 2006 at 3:57 pm
That is pretty friken wonderful! At first I would get a little freaked out if I saw it at night, but I’m sure it’s a sight to see in the light of day.
Good Find!
August 22nd, 2006 at 4:12 pm
I never thought about it being spooky Andrea…though I guess I’m rarely out in this area at night, and it’s too far from my house to check it out, unless we drove.
August 22nd, 2006 at 5:52 pm
Maybe it’s not a mask. Just maybe the tree has an actual face.
August 22nd, 2006 at 11:37 pm
I would do a doubletake if I saw this! It looks so mysterious and makes the tree look like it has personality, how awesome!!
August 23rd, 2006 at 12:57 am
That is awesome, so neat!
August 23rd, 2006 at 6:13 am
The mask really perfectly fit into the tree trunk. Really amazing.
August 23rd, 2006 at 1:17 pm
That is totally cool! now I have to run out in the yard and look for a suitable tree, ; )
August 23rd, 2006 at 4:50 pm
What a great find! I can imagine the feeling you must have had when you saw it.
August 23rd, 2006 at 11:33 pm
Wow I just looked at this again and notice the tree trunk and I had to wonder how it got like that before they placed the mask. Cyn was there ever a road beside that tree, I hope it wasn’t the result of a terrible car wreck. I’ve seen trees like that before that were damaged by a wreck (one up the road from me here). I hope not anyways, it’s beautiful now!
August 24th, 2006 at 5:32 am
That is so neat. It is amazing the work some can create. Thank you for sharing that, it is wonderful!
August 24th, 2006 at 1:02 pm
Hey Lyn, I never thought about the possibility that the tree is misshapen from a car accident. Right next to the bike path is a well traveled road that takes commuters downtown Denver which is about 5 min. away. It does look like the tree was damaged by something…. Maybe the mask is a memorial?
Thank you blurr, fennymun, becky, mary, jj and dawn for visiting!