"Tree of Life" Is A Must-See When In The North Valley
Tens of thousands of folks pass by one of my favorite public art installations each week, & most probably barely notice it. The intricately designed tile mosaic project lives in the North Valley, above & below, on the corner of Fourth St & Montaño Blvd. Parking is easy behind the installation just east on Montaño. I mention that because it's a good exhibit to go see.The back of the piece (or is it the front?), above, faces inward toward the park, unseen by passersby in cars.
Called "Tree of Life", the large wall of organically-shaped & polychromatic broken tile pieces forms images & shapes; it is the focal point of the small pocket park. Even at one of the busiest intersections in the North Valley, a few quiet minutes absorbing the details of the work can reset things nicely.
Written at the site: "This artwork recognizes the imagery of early cultures that influenced the peoples of Mexico & New Mexico. The black & white figures are animal images from Native American Mimbres Pottery. The colorful figures are images from the Maya culture."
The Mimbres animal images at the "Tree of Life" remind me of the continuing Columbia St Art-Walk Project created by local teacher & artist Courtney Angermeier.
