Seattle-based artist Kim Beaton enlisted the help of 25 volunteers to
build an awe-inspiring 12-foot-tall tree troll exclusively out of
non-toxic materials. The kind face of this forest giant was inspired by
her late father, a lumberjack from Montana.
In 2006, Kim Beaton
and a team of volunteers spent 15 days creating a unique tree troll out
of papier mache, wood, metal plates and other non-toxic materials.
Although the entire sculpture looks unbelievably realistic, it’s
friendly face and beautiful blue eyes immediately grab the viewer’s
attention.
Trolls are not exactly known as friendly creatures, but
Beaton’s is special. The artist explains: ”[My father] had died a few
months prior at 80 years old. On June 2nd, at 3am, I woke from a dream
with a clear vision burning in my mind.
The image of my dad, old,
withered and ancient, transformed into one of the great trees, sitting
quietly in a forest. I leaped from my bed, grabbed some clay and
sculpted like my mind was on fire. In 40 minutes I had a rough sculpture
that said what it needed to.
The next morning I began making phone
calls, telling my friends that in 6 days time we would begin on a new
large piece. The next 6 days, I got materials and made more calls. On
June 8th we began, and 15 days later we were done. I have never in my
life been so driven to finish a piece.”
The
Tree Troll, as everyone calls this incredible sculpture, traveled
around Seattle for about two years, making appearances at fairs, markets
and parades, and capturing the imagination of audiences both young and
old.
After seeing him and the reactions of spectators at the Fremont
Solstice Parade, the Bellagio Casino decided to buy it, and nowadays the
tree troll is put on display in a climate-controlled environment for 2
1/2 months of the year, around Thanksgiving. About a quarter million
people get to admire him during that time.
No comments:
Post a Comment