Preserving a Memory
The Bronze Tree in Children's Library
Artists: Dana Lynn Louis and Barbara Eiswerth
Dana Lynn Louis is a sculptor, painter and installation artist. Barbara Eiswerth is a studio artist, who works in a variety of two- and three-dimensional media.
An anonymous donor provided the money for the sculpture with the request that it go toward "teaching children another way of living."
The tree's bark combines images from Oregon's natural history with subjects found in the Dewey Decimal system.
The artists and library staff worked together to choose subjects and images interesting to various age groups.
The objects are clustered at different levels so children of all heights will have something fascinating to explore. Images attractive to small children are at the base of the tree, while more sophisticated images are placed higher.
In addition to botanical forms, such as vines and seaweed, that fit the garden theme of Central Library's artwork, the bark features toys, animals, musical instruments, letters and storybook characters.
Dana's dog Henry, who was in the artists' studio throughout the creation, sits at foot of tree. The artists signed the baseball near him.
Some of the images are from specific children's books: "The Little Engine That Could," "Four and Twenty Blackbirds" (and the music for the song next to the pie) and "The Wizard of Oz."
The artists molded the roots and trunk of the tree in clay. It was then cast in bronze at the Walla Walla Foundry. The branches were cast from molds of real branches cut near the foundry in Walla Walla, Washington.
The tree is 14 feet tall and weighs over one ton (2,700 pounds). The artists brought it into the library in at least three pieces and welded it together here.
The tree is meant to be touched (but not climbed!). The more it is touched, the shinier it becomes and the easier it is to find favorite objects.