DAY 59
06.02.07
TREE 65As I crossed the concrete dam on the Mount St. Francis lake I eyed a large pine with vines growing on it. It was nice and tall with plenty of branches that went all the way to the top, but so many were dry, missing bark, and looked as if they would break easily. But I had to try. I followed my rule on small and dead branches: hug the trunk, the closer the better. Luckily I had no breaks and the climb was slow, dirty, and sappy. But I pushed pass all the tough spots and went higher and higher. I’ve always wanted to truly reach the top of a tree. To be above the highest leaf and like a star on a Christmas tree, look out over the world below. And I got there! Holding on to a thin, bendy branch I carefully marked my spot, took out my camera and recorded the fantastic view. This was truly a memorable accomplishment. A real highlight so far.
6-2-08: That was a really awesome climb. I know I have definitely come close again, but I am not sure if I have ever climbed another tree where my head was higher than the tree. It was also my first self portrait in a tree. I wonder if that vain on the side of my forehead is often that pronounced when I climb?Yesterday I also climbed at the Mount. I was there to help Michelle Amos take down her show and to patch the walls and paint. I have a little job as Gallery Attendant there when shoes go up and down. After I finished I went down to the lake and sat in the sun with my feet in the water. It was beautiful yesterday. Then I went up by the Friary and climbed an oak off the main drive. It was not too big of a tree but full of limbs that I had to snake through. With all the close contact my skin reacted to something on that tree and I got some red bumps on my legs. Anyway, here are two pictures and a video:
Author: Todd Smith
Hi! I am an interdisciplinary artist and committed educator.
From 2007-2010 I climbed a tree everyday and documented the project with photography, video and writing on this blog. I am revisiting the trees and writing again starting March 2018. Stay tuned.
My work considers our collective impact on the urban environment. Projects range from community-based, data-driven projects interpreting bike usage into sound, photography and video series exploring human movement through urban structures and green spaces, and interactive sculptures that vary in their use of found materials, analog technologies, and emerging digital media.
I currently teach a variety of 2D, 3D and digital subjects at universities in the Louisville, Kentucky area.
