One of the first places I went when I arrived on campus last year was Aldrich Park. I went for a tour around campus to find where everything was at, but I was instantly drawn to the park when I noticed it. More specifically I was drawn to this tree. The massive amount of shade it provided, the design of the roots intertwined on the ground, and it also reminded me of the book "The Giving Tree." The other day in class we went to this same tree and it reminded me of how much I admired this spot on campus when I first came to UCI. I often visit or walk by when stressed and it is a delightful part of the park that helps refresh my mind to gather inspiration for upcoming projects needed. Plus it is a nice place to go to relax and people watch. Which sounds creepy I know. It isn't in the middle of the park exactly but its a source of inspiration amongst the trees of Aldrich.
What I enjoy the most about this tree is that the light coming through the leaves and branches is given a bit of dimension since the roots are lifted up from the ground. You typically see light coming through the trees onto a solid grassy plane. The shadowing within the leaves was also intriguing to me. You can tell where the sun was at when the photo was taken by seeing which half of the tree is in direct sun and the underneath part of half the tree is still shaded from its own leaves and branches.
I love this tree as well. I directed a show for Brown Bag Theatre Co, a group on campus that I founded, and am the faculty mentor for, and we had a rehearsal at this tree for a portion of the play that was about ritual, and it inspired me and the entire cast. I love you connection to it, I can see a dance piece coming from it :) I would have liked more ties to light, as there is so much in the photo.
ReplyDeleteFinally - please remember to put the prompts for weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 into the subject line