June 23 – Anniversary of the Completion of a Tree Troll

nPostednon June 23, 2016

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I captured this statue with
my husband next to it…
plus strangers behind!

Very cluttered!!

nHowndo I photograph sculptures? n

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nInoften – maybe too often – photograph a sculpture with my husbandnor one of my kids standing in front of it (or behind it, or next tonit…you get the idea!). n

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nInfigure, if one of my family isn’t going to be in the photograph,nmaybe I should just buy one of the gorgeously photographed postcardsnof the sculpture, right?

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nNownI read that a sculptor has deliberately created a work to capitalizenon my tendency – which is apparently common: she created her “Tree Troll” sculpture so thatnit will look good with people kneeling or standing near it, innphotos! In her words: n

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n“Therenis a great deal of beautiful art in this city, but most of it onlynlooks good standing by itself. The classic monument style isncluttered and diminished if there are people standing in front. Inwanted to create a sculpture whose composition was completed whennsomeone was nearby. It should look at its best with the publicninvolved.”

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nCoolnbeans!

nAnd, take a look at her result – WAY cool beans!

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The completed Tree Troll, with the artist (above).

The original model Graham made of her concept
included the idea that people would pose with the troll
(below).

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Somenhave called sculptor Kim Graham’s giant troll an “eco troll”nbecause she made it with reclaimed lumber, repurposed cardboard,npacking tubes and lettuce boxes and other discarded items. (And Inthink I spotted aluminum foil on some of these photos!) He isnconsidered to be paper-mache. n

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nGrahamnled a team of 25 volunteer artists to built it in her Seattle,nWashington, studio. n

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nOncenthe Tree Troll was finished, on this date in 2006, he travellednaround Seattle for two years. He would show up at fairs…atnparades…at markets. And when he showed up, people were delighted tonsee him, pose with him, photograph him!

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I love the expression on the Tree Troll.
And I am not a bit surprised that the artist
conceived of the piece as a way to honor
the memory of her beloved father.

ThenBellagio Casino in Las Vegas purchased the Tree Troll, to be put onndisplay for a few months around Thanksgiving. I am not sure if thenTree Troll is still displayed at the Bellagio – but since he isnkept indoors in a climate-controlled environment, he may well be!

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nNote that the varying lighting changes
the “look” of the Tree Troll…

nIngather that Graham has married and changed her name to Kim Beaton; Inalso gather that she has made a more permanent outdoor version of hernTree Troll. Check out her website.

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nAlsonon this date:

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