Image: From winter trees (aftermath) (2006) by Youngna Park

Driving around town the last few days I noticed the occasional discarded Christmas tree here and there, and kicked around the idea of snapping some Polaroids of the carnage. Meanwhile in NYC, Youngna Park was on the case.

Returning from the neighborhood bar at a late hour a few nights ago, my roommate and I came upon a discarded Christmas tree that I’ll never forget. It was in the middle of the sidewalk and nowhere near a home. In fact, it was lying beside an bland office-type building, directly beneath a sign announcing “BAND REHEARSAL SPACES AVAILABLE.” Above that sign was a single lamp buzzing with a bright greenish light that not only enhanced the rough stone texture of the wall but gave the tree’s remaining, clinging tinsel a crinkling sparkle. The scene was mesmerizing. I ran across the street to get a closer look, then back to take in the whole scene.

So visually powerful, this simple yet incongruous tableaux. The impluse to return with a camera was strong, but I remembered this quote – somewhat of a personal mantra – from Don DeLillo’s Underworld:

“Sometimes I see something so moving I know I’m not supposed to linger. See it and leave. If you stay too long, you wear out the wordless shock. Love it and trust it and leave.”