Art? Not Art?

I am a big fan of public art. Anything expressing creativity and beauty that is displayed in the open air is all right with me. But I have a head scratcher...

You know when a massive tree meets its premature fate and has to be cut down; sad to see something so majestic and time worn be reduced to saw dust and firewood. Apparently, those who feel the same have found a way to keep that beloved tree "alive". They carve something out of the massive trunk that remains standing. A home in my neighborhood happens to have one these treasures in its front yard. I see it everyday. It's a squirrel. But is it art?

 

A fine piece of craft? Yes. But art? Not so much.

Now here is the head scratcher: Within this genre, I have another example – another one I drive past virtually everyday (pictured below). A few months ago, a gorgeous beech tree was victim of a powerful windstorm. The damage required the whole tree to come down. However, about eight feet of the trunk was left firmly planted in the ground. To pay homage to what that tree once was, it looks like someone has tried to make something out of it. A little carving was done. There is even some drawing on it. But I can't tell what the intent is. Is the owner just having fun with his chainsaw? Is it an abstracted form that I'm not seeing (I still see "tree stump"). Is it art? Is it craft? Is it better than my neighbor's squirrel?

Comments

[Bill Emory]

hey Rob-

I see the profile of a dog.

I see dogs everywhere