DAY 294 – Daily Climb

DAY 294
01.23.08
TREE 127

I drove to Highlander Point after work to climb the tree behind the Jay-C.

It all worked out because Norm wanted to get dinner at the new Cuban restaurant before his clay class at 6. I called when I got to the parking lot and told him I’d be about a half hour climbing. Then I changed my shoes and hoodies. There was one person around, an AC/Heating repairman sitting in his van at the back of the grocery store.

I figured he wouldn’t care so I walked across the back lot and down the snow covered stones to the base of my tree. I looked and knew immediately that I had no other option of entry than the one overhanging limb I had used before. So I grabbed a small end and pulled it down. I climbed up like a rope then hand over hand towards the trunk as it got thicker. I twisted and muscled up to standing on the limb. Then I began my winding path up the tree. It was a pretty quick and easy climb with a limb within decent reach for each progressive stop.

I got up to the top and missed the bright red leaves that were here the last time.

I took out my camera and did my best to capture the view.

But the more I look at the little digital screen of my camera compared to what I see with my eyes, they just don’t compare. That is why I often think of projects that share the perspective of reality and not just images. I want people to get out and climb themselves. Or there are the pieces where I’ve helped people reach these views. There had truly never been a day I haven’t thought was beautiful and precious when I’m up in a tree. I just think people, not all, but many would think the same or find their own unique value in the experience.

Anyway, I took down my ribbon

and watched the cars go by under me.

Then with my hunger growing I climbed back down with quick movements and dropped to the ground. Then I went over to the restaurant and waited for Norman. Casey and Jill also joined us which was nice. This project has really got me outside experiencing life and making everyday memorable and special.

1-27-09: That Cuban restaurant was pretty bad. The pork I had was alright butthe service was awful. They offered one price on drinks then told us it was more after we ordered them. The food was bland and the waitress didn’t know squat about the menu. Needless to say that place is now no more.

I would also like to reiterate my sentiment from the above entry about experiencing a climb for yourself. You may like some of my images, or even think that my writing is helpful in relating the experience (but I doubt that), but what you see, hear, feel, smell, and experience yourself is so much more powerful. I realize that it is pretty nasty and cold out this time of year, but I challenge you to go out on the first warm day of spring and climb a tree. Even if it’s only the first branch, I think you will really enjoy it.

—

Last Thursday, January 22nd, Norm and I put in a full day on the porch in New Castle. We got a lot done and it was really coming together. We discovered New Castle’s only little cafe and loved their home cooked food and friendly (but smokey) atmosphere. Then after work, whilst laboring on our tasks, I got a phone call from David Guoin, the executive director if the Dublin Arts Council. He called to inform me that the City Council unanimously voted to purchase the rest of my human cicada shell installations. That is now 4 in total that will be a part if the City of Dublin’s permanent collection! This is possibly the best news I have ever received. With this purchase I will be able to continue to live with the free time to work on my art and climb my trees. I will be able to provide myself with materials needed for my upcoming show at Zephyr in October and anything else I need for art, living, etc. I am truly thankful to the City Council of Dublin, the Arts Council, Jesse Levesque, the curator, and everyone else who helped in the production of the works. I am also especially thankful to the Mary Anderson Center for providing that time and space for me to imagine the idea. That one day, sitting on the bench that overlooks the old grape orchard and down to the lake, looking at the trees and trying to think of animals and insects whose lives depend on the trees. I thought of the cicada and I imagined it in human form and the idea was born. I still can’t believe it’s true. I really have to thank the trees too. My inspiration.

So after work we went to my parents’ again. We had some pizza and spent some more time in the hot tub. Then I went out to climb a tree. When I stepped out in the front yard

I walked up to the three-trunk tree I had climbed two nights before.

I looked at the other two trunks I had not yet climbed and figured, I could get two more good climbs out of this one tree.

So, Part 2 (of 3) of the trident climb. This time I chose the trunk closest to the street.

The trunk was slightly larger than the last, had some small vines at the base, and was slightly longer to the first low limb. Luckily it also leaned over at more of an angle making shimmying easier, but only slightly. I went up, rotated around to get a better grip on the branch, then pulled and climbed my way to my feet.

I went up from there knocking the dead branches out of my way and throwing them to the ground. This side of the tree seemed to have more major offshoot limbs. I picked my path and worked my way and high as I could. I passed a few limbs from the middle trunk that cross and intersected my path.

Being this close and seeing its limbs I know I will come back to climb the third trunk. Towards the top I debated about trusting some questionable limbs to go higher. I was leaning out over the road and after one risky move up, I decided to stop even though I saw the possibility to go one step higher. I looked out and saw the same stuff from two nights ago, but with just a slightly different angle.