Beech trees are fantastic beasts, they can grow to enormous sizes and the wood they provide is fabulous for burning. My mother had a beast of a beech in the bottom forest that was blotting out the sunlight to the kitchen and generally being a nuisance. Over the years it had developed into a multi-trunked monster that required some careful felling.
I made a few phone calls and assembled a crew of likeminded enthusiasts. We steadily and carefully dropped the sections of the tree but part way through the day decided to create our own artwork. Now, I appreciate that this might not be to everyone's taste but as a bloke it is a fascinating piece. Allow me to talk you through it in the style of an art dealer...
Captured here is a microcosm of the male experience, transcending the purely descriptive definition of masculinity - into a physical apparition. The photographer challenges the viewer to decide whether a physical act of tree felling, captured in a split second as a photograph, undermines or enhances the prime metaphor.
We are asked to consider that three chainsaws, yet only two axes is an admission that the physicality of the task is beyond the means of the protagonists, or that the man-made machines are themselves subjugated by the ancient reliability of the primitive axe. Closer inspection of the photograph reveals a Gransfors Bruks small felling axe juxtaposed against a splitting maul - the yellow wedges seemingly separating the axes from the chainsaws.
The orange helmet touches the splitting maul and makes a distinct nod towards the newest chainsaw. Perhaps an acknowledgement that while the axe is loved, the chainsaw is loved more. A reference to George Orwell's Animal Farm in a double layered metaphorical whimsy?
Despite the seemingly overwhelming statement of engine power over old fashioned manual tools, there is a realisation, like a lingering memory, or more perhaps a constant reminder, that the split logs on the forest floor could only have happened by the splitting maul - making us look back to the helmet and the maul, reinterpreting the nod as condescending rather than compliance?
Anyway, my mum was delighted with the tonnes of wood that she got, and the house was warmed nicely after it had seasoned.
Thanks for enjoying my whimsical tale :)
