Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Truckstop

Waiting Out the Rain

Axel Erlandson's Tree Circus


Between 1922 and 1963 a California farmer, surveyor and orchardist named Axel Erlandson designed and trained trees into sculptural and architectural forms unique in horticultural history.

Axel expanded that ancient science to include chairs, towers, ladders, spiral staircases and enclosures that could be grown, rather than built. He eventually displayed his creations in a roadside attraction outside of Santa Cruz, which he named the "Tree Circus".

Mark Primack discovered Erlandon’s neglected and dying trees in 1977, shortly after completing his Masters thesis on ‘Botanic Architecture’ at the Architectural Association of London.

His efforts to document Axel’s work, to write their history, and to protect and preserve the surviving trees were themselves fading into obscurity when his friends at the Museum of Jurassic Technology convinced him to present, in words and images (many for the first time) his remarkable record of a dedicated visionary and a creative genius.

Mark Primack will speak on the genius of Axel Erlandson, founder of the World Famous Tree Circus and visionary pioneer of Botanic Architecture.
SATURDAY, May 24, 2008, 8PM at the Culver City Foshay Lodge No 467 (9635 Venice Blvd, Culver City). A reception will follow at the Museum of Jurassic Technology (9341 Venice Blvd, Culver City). $10 General; $8 Museum members, students & seniors

More images can be seen at: www.arborsmith.com/treecircus.html

Monday, May 12, 2008

Our Dreams Are Waiting For Us Around the Corner: Photo Booth and Thank-You-Letter-Writing Party

A celebration of the ephemeral as well as the documented at NEIGHBORS. Saturday, May 17th, in conjunction with the Milwaukee International Art Fair!

Come draw on the wall, get your portrait taken
with someone you love or a stranger from across the street, and write that thank-you-note you have been meaning to write to your 3rd grade art teacher, your neighbor, the author of that amazing book, that awesome hot dog vendor, or whoever else you have been meaning to write to for oh so long! NEIGHBORS is excited to open its doors and provide you with a cozy atmosphere, paper, tables, chairs, arts supplies, a sunny storefront, and maybe even snacks... as well as a chance to help create collective documents of our time here on Earth: photographic portraits to keep close and hand-written letters to send out into the world.

SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2008
12 PM - 6 PM
NEIGHBORS (800 E Clarke St, at the corner of Fratney)
Milwaukee, WI

Wednesday, May 07, 2008