If you happen to make your way to Tim Burton's exhibit at the LACMA, make sure you stop by and say hello to a peculiar tree standing in front of the Broad Contemporary Art Museum (BCAM). A 16×11′ foot “Urban Fruit Tree” by Jean Wells will greet you with open arms. What is it exactly? It's a glistening mosaic tree with branches adorned with Wells' signature candies, confections, burgers and soda pop!
LACMA: “The artwork of Jean Wells brings together the master craftsmanship of an Old-World, church mosaic tradition with the contemporary pop sensibilities of artists such as Jeff Koons, Claes Oldenburg, or Roy Lichtenstein. Made from brilliantly colored, custom, hand-cut glass, Jean Wells creates larger than life versions of everyday objects.”
The piece was brought to the LACMA as part of the MUSE project, which was curated by Bryson Strauss, owner of The L.A. Art Machine, a Los Angeles-based arts organization that curates exhibits and organizes art events. Today was supposed to be its last day but the LACMA requested for the tree to stay longer as a result of positive reviews. It will be there for another week or so.
The “Urban Fruit Tree” and the rest of Wells' art reminds us that in a time where real life is scary enough, it is refreshing to have some moments of genuine innocence. How whimsically wonderful!
