As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, I’ve dropped my normal routine of working on men’s issues such as male stress and depression to work with other local community members to protect the valley of my home town. I first heard about Jack Gescheidt and the TreeSpirit Project when the woman in the next office said she had a poster she couldn’t put up in public. “It’s got a naked man on it,” she told me. “Maybe you or your men’s group might be interested.” I got the poster and was intrigued with the art-work.
I went to his website and learned that The TreeSpirit Project is many things, including: 1. a collection of fine art photographs by Jack Gescheidt of naked, vulnerable humans celebrating trees and the natural world; 2. the life-changing experiences people have making the photographs; all are volunteers, not paid models; 3. a mission to spread awareness of the critical role trees play in our lives, both globally and personally.
I sent Jack a note suggesting he might be interested in our efforts in Willits to protect the Little Lake Valley and stop the Caltrans bypass.
To my surprise he called back right away and said he had already heard about our efforts and was coming to Willits that night to tell the group about his work and see whether there would be support for a picture that would capture our love for our valley and our desire to protect it from the devastation a Caltrans freeway would cause.
After Jack shared his work at the meeting, there was a heated debate about whether a nude photo would help the cause or create more opposition. Some felt that a powerful photo with media coverage would attract positive attention. Others felt that it might alienate the more conservative members of the community.
I felt the concerns that we not cause dissention in our group, yet I felt that Jack’s work was powerful and engaging. I liked what he had done in other parts of the country, particularly his work with the ancient forest defenders putting their bodies on the line to protect 1,000-year-old redwoods threatened by a highway widening project by Caltrans, just north of us, in Humboldt County. There is a movie, “Out on a Limb,” being made about Jack’s work, which gives you a good feel for his generous heart and spirit.
I’m glad Jack came to Willits and I’m glad he was able to bring us together and take the picture “Living Valley.” See if you can find me in the picture (above). Aren’t bodies beautiful and vulnerable, just like our trees?
Thank you for getting naked for our valley. While I understand the thought of it alienating some folks, some part of me also says why do we have to keep confining ourselves to others ideas of rightness or wrongness. I talked with a group from Ukian yesterday who were disgusted with the protestors; they had heard human waste had been thrown at the CHP. I explained that while this may be a small part of the story, I hoped this would instead of closing minds open them, look deeper at the cause of any disturbing act. To not let one aspect of the protest take them from the real facts. This is not about blaming, it is just about facts and good sense and what is best for our community. The larger picture is it is about what is good for the planet or world. Thanks again, Jed. Anandai
Ananda, thanks for the comments. We all have to trust our own sense of what is right. We’ve tried to be peaceful and restful of everyone. Each time I stood in front of the Highway patrol, or Caltrans workers, or anyone else on “the other side” I tried to remind myself that we are all humans, doing the best we can in difficult circumstances. I also sent love to those who in moments of fear or anger did things that I don’t approve of. Throwing feces at officers is an act of violence and I say it’s wrong, even as I can care about the person who does it. Raising guns and threatening unarmed protesters is violent and wrong. But I understand those who feel they need to clear the area and get people out of the trees so their work can continue. We need to continue to stand for what we believe while respecting ourselves and all others. We can find a local solution to our traffic problem. We just have to keep at it with as much joy and love as we can muster (even when we’re tired and scared and angry and frustrated).
Guessing you are standing in front of the person with the child on its back. Counting that child your head would be sixth from the right.