When you look at downtown London, there is a smattering of restaurants from every ethnicity, book stores, stag shops, a Starbucks, and a strip club. But if you look even closer, there are hidden murals of graffiti and not-so-oblivious, colourful metal trees. The City of London approved the addition of these trees in order to help promote London as “The Forest City”, and they have placed them in locations around London where trees cannot grow. When I speak about these trees to ... well, anyone, they all say “Those ugly things are such a waste of money!”
Yes, the trees are hideous, but could this aesthetic train-wreck have a higher purpose? And if so, does the higher purpose make itself known? The one positive thing I notice is that the city is using art to promote itself. This in itself is a great idea. People notice the trees and this helps make London special. My question is, “Is it worth it?” The money that was used for the trees could be invested into other Arts Organizations, such as The Palace Theatre, or Museum London, or the Arts Project. No matter how much I want to believe that they are a good idea, I cannot help but think they were a waste of money and that Londoners think of this too. Their money should be invested in art or activities that are appealing.
A few years ago, The City of London started the “Tree Trunk Tour”, an activity where artists would carve a design into the trunk of a tree. The trunks are decorated with anything from angels to waterfalls, and they are beautiful. This is the perfect example of how using art in an attractive way can be a complete success.
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