Posted on by Todd Smith

DAY 154



DAY 154
09.05.07
TREE 68

My reclimb today was a unique experience. I remember the first time climbing this sycamore in Cherokee Park. I felt as if in a fog… too much in my head. This time, however, was a vastly different climb. I met Barry Bernson from FOX41 at 10am at Hogan’s Fountain.

I shook his hand and met the camera guy. Then I hopped back in the truck and lead them to the tree by frisbee field. Once parked they gave me the game plan: act as if they weren’t there and do what I usually do, only I will be mic’ed. I had a little microphone clipped to my shirt with a line that ran to a powerpack in my right pocket. It was a little cumbersome for the climb but doable. They set up the camera and I ran and took a step off the trunk and grabbed that first branch.

Then my leg up, my body up, and then progressed quickly from limb to limb. I was a little nervous so I was going fast, yet I didn’t want to be panting and grunting in the mic so I had to slow myself down. Every once in a while they stopped me to change camera angle. I really couldn’t just act like they weren’t there. I got to the top after two or three pauses. I grabbed my ribbon and pulled out my camera.

After a few shots my memory card was full. I thought, "not good" but I quickly went in and deleted some old pictures. They yelled up and asked what I was doing. I just told them I was taking pictures.



Then I told them, after getting a leaf, I was ready to come down. They paused me a few more times then stopped me at the bottom few limbs. There was a spot of sun hitting the trunk and they wanted me to position myself so my face was directly in it. Then Barry started to ask his interview questions. I answered them trying not to say "um" or "so" but it was hard. I had to repeat one answer because the mic was popping the first time. I hope it didn’t sound rehearsed the second time since I repeated my answer word for word. Then I climbed down and dropped to the ground. They got some more footage of me taking pictures and had me run up into the tree to get a different angle of it.

All in all, it was a good experience and rare. Also, a climb where I was thinking less about climbing and more about the situation. I can’t wait to see how the feature goes on Monday.

9-6-08:  Unfortunately I can’t embed the Fox 41 feature video from their website because it is too old and not there anymore.  The only record I have of it now is on VHS at my parents.  It turned out pretty good but with a bit of a cheesy narrative.  I believe Barry said something to the effect of, "is it a bird?  is it a plane?  No!  It is an artist!"  Still though, they played the video 4 times the day it aired.  It was awesome.  

And now for another unique experience.  I went to a party Thursday night at Laura Lee Brown and Steve Wilson’s beautiful place in Oldham County.  They have an historic brick house right on the river and a huge bison farm.  They had invited people and asked everyone to bring one person they didn’t know.  So Chris Radtke, a fellow Zephyr Gallery member, asked me to come.  I was really excited to go.  Laura Lee Brown and Steve Wilson are the couple behind the 21C Hotel and the Museum Plaza.  They are probably a few of the biggest supporters of contemporary art in Louisville and I couldn’t wait to see their personal art collection in their house.  I got there right on time and walked around the house.  There were beautiful trees everywhere.  I spotted a maple tree right in front of the house and kept that in my mind. 

I checked out the horses in the barn, the garden, and eventually Chris, her husband, and Jesse Levesque showed up.  Chris introduced me to Steve Wilson and some of the other guests.  After telling Steve what kind of art I do I asked if I could climb one of his trees.  He seemed a little reticent to give the quick green light.  He asked if I had equipment and I told him I don’t use any.  He hesitated and then said, "I guess, just don’t get hurt."  Sure thing!  Then we went in the house to look at the art.  It was quite impressive with some really great work just packed into the house.  

The sun was setting and the rain clouds were making it get dark.  I really wanted to get good pictures so I needed to climb soon.  But I was a feeling a little shy and did not want to create a scene.  People were talking near the tree and I waited for them to leave.  But they weren’t… even after the dinner bell rang twice.  To move them along I walked up to a few people and asked if they had heard the dinner bell.  I think they were a little annoyed that I interrupted their conversation.  I walked away and soon they were gone.  The coast was clear.  I walked over and jumped for the lowest branch.

Since dinner was waiting I climbed quickly.  I didn’t get too high in this tree because the top of the trunk had probably been struck by lightning and since been cut off.  I took a picture of the stub.

Then I did my best with the low light I had to capture the views of the river and surrounding property.




It began to sprinkle and I was really starting to get hungry so I took a couple last shots and then climbed down.

When I got around to the other side of the house the table that was set outside was gone.  I looked around and no one was to be seen.  Then I saw light in the barn and heard noise.  I guess because of the rain they moved everything into the horse barn.  When I got there everyone was already seated and starting to eat.  There was no space for me, not even an extra chair.  I walked to the very end and was invited to take the head of the table.  The food and company were excellent and I had a great time.  

Just before dessert Steve Wilson asked all the men to grab their drink and find a new seat.  I got up and walked over to Chris Radtke and Laura Lee Brown.  I had not met the hostess yet and Chris introduced us.  I then had a nice conversation with Laura Lee Brown about my tree climbing work over a delicious dessert.  Soon after the party was quickly breaking up and I went home.  It was a great party and very much appreciate being invited.  I also am glad I waited to climb my tree.

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