PROPOSAL:
Introduction:
I wish to build a monument so large that it overlooks Earth; a monument that lets people see the world they live in by simply viewing it. The Monument of Life.
Background:
I was inspired by Barthes’ discussion of Paris and the Eiffel Tower, and I find the monument to be beautifully brilliant. It is the heart of the city, and it overlooks the city; it is massive in its physical form and in its cultural meaning. But even better would be the same thing on a larger scale: the heart of our world and overlooking it.
Some information about symbolism in trees:
Trees have strong symbolic meanings in many different cultures.
In Chinese culture, Bonsai trees represent peace, harmony, balance. They were originally believed to be created to resemble dragons, serpents, birds. Buddhist monks had great influence in Bonsai tree growing; the trees are often related to meditation and zen.
Birch trees, the national tree of Russia, are connected with new beginnings and cleansing of the past. "Birch" is derived from a German root meaning "white, bright, or shine."
The Oak tree has strong meanings in Roman culture; they connected the trees with the gods; it symbolizes strength and courage and was regarded by Socrates as the 'oracle tree.'
The Willow tree is strong in Native American culture. They symbolize magic, healing, inner vision, and dreams. Its bark has been relied on for medicinal purposes. They are also a symbol of death, mourning, and reflection in East Asian cultures.
Trees are also used for resources.
Food: Maple trees provide syrup, Cherry trees grow fruits, while Elder trees give off berries and flowers that produce wine and brandy.
Medicine: Willow trees give us the acid that we know as aspirin, while Eucalyptus trees house medicine to remedy colds, headaches, coughs, asthma, flu.
Some information about using recycled products in homes:
Incorporating recycled materials into architecture is sustainable and inexpensive. Cardboard, with the right water-proofing, can be a great resource in building homes. Tires also work to keep in heat in the winter. Coke bottles are just fun, and building a home out of an enormous collection of them is a fantastic way to use your old bottles.
Description:
My plan is to design a (approx.) 4,500 foot tall tree. The structure will be made out of recycled materials: colored (greens and browns) glass bottles for the trunk, rubber tires for the branches, and plastic bags for the leaves. It will be located in the San Francisco Bay near Angel Island. Satellite images of the Earth will be projected onto the trunk to give viewers the sense that they are overlooking their world while viewing this monument. Satellite images will also be projected on the water surrounding the tree. There will be thousands of LEDs on the trunk, allowing the monument and the images to stay lit at night. Viewers will have the option to ride a boat to the nearby platform/glass elevator-like structure that will rise out of the water and take them to the top, for a more interactive experience.
This monument will symbolize nature; it will commemorate our world. We live on this Earth, we walk on its ground, yet many of us do not take the time to stop and really see it. This monument will give people that opportunity; the chance to see Earth in a different way. Almost astronaut-like. It is on an enormous scale, which fits with its purpose but also makes it (currently) improbable.
San Francisco is a great place for art and sustainability, which is why I have chosen to place this monument in the bay.
Benefits:
This monument is an homage to trees and the Earth that grows them. It is a positive monument, promoting nature and recycling. It is important to take the time to “stop and smell the roses,” as the cliche likes to say, and this enormous tree is meant to open eyes, and noses, to the world that encompasses us. I took into account the commentary that was provided for me, and I came to realize that there should be a sort of device connected to the tree that uses the recyclable aspect and transfers it into energy that can be used elsewhere. This would be a fantastic beneficial improvement on my proposed monument.
Estimated Cost:
-1,000,000 BOTTLES: up to years to collect
-500,000 TIRES: up to years to collect
-3,000,000 PLASTIC BAGS: up to years to collect
SATELLITE
-10 projectors: $50,000
-10,000 LEDs: $200,000
PLATFORM
-30x30x50 ft. of glass: $3,000
-4,500 ft. tall underwater pillar: $500,000
-mechanics to raise 4,500 ft.: $500,000
TOTAL
Up to 5 years and about 1 million dollars
Timeline of Tasks:
