Since one has now reached a phase in the planet’s existence where, for the first time she relies on us and not us on her, perhaps it is time to promote things like living furniture.
The craft of ‘tree shaping’ or ‘living art’ actually dates back to over 500 years ago. In fact, one of the earliest examples of tree shaping can be found in India – in Cherapunji Assam, where roots of ancient trees have been shaped into bridges and pathways.
The craft of tree shaping is based on the concept of bending – and in some cases grafting together – young trees to form useful shapes and structures such as chairs, tables, and even green houses. With a little shaping and pruning, the trees grow into not just ornamental green designs, but useful ‘living’ furniture.
Of course, ‘tree art’ is a green and innovative craft; however, it also acts as a carbon-absorbing piece of architecture and design. With a huge number of people and organisations promoting and looking for alternative green ways of living, tree shaping has taken the art of growing and shaping branches, tree trunks, and roots to another level altogether.
One of the earliest practitioners of tree shaping was John Krubsack, an American. Krubsack harvested his own chair in the year 1914. Swedish-American horticulturalist Axel Erlandson created the living and breathing attraction named the Tree Circus in 1947. The Tree Circus consisted of a collection of uniquely shaped trees, all wrought in their early growing phases into phenomenal shapes, gracefully entwined in each other.
In recent times, many have resorted to using Krubsack and Erlandson’s methods – but this time it’s with a cause. Instead of making merely bizarre shapes or sculptures, the trees grafted now have a purpose: from being saplings they’re turned into living furniture and other functional objects. ‘Plantware’ is one such Israeli group of scientists, horticulturists and designers, who have patented their own technique of shaping Ficus (fig tree) roots into a variety of functional shapes such as coat racks, toilet paper holders, street lights, and benches.
Currently, perhaps the most well known among the new crusaders is the Australian duo, Peter Cook and Becky Northey who formed Pooktre Tree Shapers in the early nineties. Their tables, chairs, and mirrors have created a storm in the world of living furniture, and have fuelled many to consider the form legitimate.
Since one has now reached a phase in the planet’s existence where, for the first time, she relies on us and not us on her, perhaps it’s time to promote things like living furniture. So, go grow your own chair!
What’s best about this, is that you – ad the Earth – will have the object for life.
Courtesy: Greenlife Magazine
