Tree Sculpture

I have always enjoyed this art, it is subtle and pointy. What I enjoy is the irony of the rustic form impersonating trees. I like the composition, and the location. It is that tricky kind of sculpture that sneaks into your subconscious and even though you have seen it a hundred times, you don’t really think about it until one day when it suddenly captivates you. It has a weird 2d/​3d quality with sharp cylinders arranged in a heavy lightness. Plus, I love any outdoor art that evolves over time, rust on my tree friends!

«Tree’s», or muffler pipes, as it’s often referred to, is not one of Robert Mangold’s better works in my opinion. It’s an abstracted steel pipe version of tree’s. Have you seen real tree’s? They’re beautiful, what makes you think you could do it better? I often think of real tree’s as natures sculptural, public art. This piece just reminds me of rust.
Thankfully Mangold got better with age, (see other reviews of his work.) I went to college with Mangold as my art professor and I can tell you he’s one of the most down to earth, knowledgeable, friendly, humble, Denver artists you’ll ever meet. (Hence the two stars, instead of one.)
Tree’s, a 22 foot tall by 16 foot wide sculpture is located in Civic Center Park, since 1975, after it was moved from a local median. (That tells you how much they originally thought of it.) I’m sure you’ve driven by it hundreds of times, as I have. The problem is, it doesn’t even make me think, or look twice at it, and I’m an art lover. It’s just bland and boring and not very intelligent.