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Tree damaged by lightning (lemmy.ml)
submitted 2 years ago by to c/funny@lemmy.ml
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https://mastodon.online/@streetartutopia/112271401766006762

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[–] 43 points 2 years ago (7 children)

This feels both wholesome per the idea, and awful as it feels like an epitome of humans only understanding humans.

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  • [–] 0 points 2 years ago (5 children)

    The damaged tree likely could still have been a home for animals. This, not so much.

    I don't understand the need so many feel to make sure that human fingerprints are visible on everything. Like carving initials in trees, spray painting on boulders, stacking stones at the beach.

    Can't we look out at the natural world and see that it's the absence of us, or absence of any signs we were there that makes it beautiful?

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  • [–] 33 points 2 years ago (4 children)

    Sounds like the tree was due to be felled. This artist arguably saved the tree by turning into art. While he did oil it to keep it from rotting, he oiled it using a plant based oil safe for proximity to water ways. This sounds like as close to a win as anyone's gonna get in these circumstances

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  • [–] 4 points 2 years ago

    Correct. Someone else below shared this link.

    "The Forestry Commission, who are looking after the area, decided that it would be a good idea to have a memorial to the tree and left a 50ft stem when they felled it," said Mr O'Rourke, who has called his work the Giant Hand of Vyrnwy. "They invited eight artists to tender for the job and I got it." He said the hand carving was in an area of the estate known as The Giants of Vyrnwy, and the location had inspired him.

    So, it was bound to be made into something or another - seems like a win like you said!

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  • [+] -9 points 2 years ago (2 children)

    You're probably right with regards to this tree. Couldn't it have been carved as something more in keeping with the natural environment though? I suppose a fucking human hand is emblematic of environmental destruction so maybe it fits.

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  • [–] 14 points 2 years ago

    Humans are the ones capable of understanding artistic expression. It's pretty, and sends a message to humans which helps them empathise with the natural world. Squirrels aren't going to care if it looks like a hand, or a tree. I don't understand the criticism. It's a cool art. There are lots of trees which rot normally, but this gesture shows humans that they are part of the world with apparently no lasting environmental consequences.

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