Red Tree Aliens

On a walk down Broadway (in the Lloyd District of Portland), I saw a sculpture between Safeway and Rose’s, right at 12^th Street.

Standing on a black rectangular base, the main color of the sculpture is red.  The sculpture appears to be two humanoids with branches instead of hair and roots instead of feet.  They do not appear to be immobile, but move about as you and I do.  Maybe faster.  Maybe slower.

Just in case you think I’m crazy, I know that sculpture doesn’t really move.

I took a photo.

I read the plaque. 

The plaque said the artist was Margaret Leon, she created the work in 1991, and it was called, “In the Treetop.”  I tried to look “Margaret Leon” up on the internet, found a site for a photographer that I don’t think was her – then there were so many other entries I gave up.

I think the sculpture looks like a couple of “Red Tree Aliens.”

One alien is shorter than the other.  Presumably, she is female.  In her cupped hands she holds a gold geometric figure that looks like a pyramid attached seamlessly to the top of a cube.  Her partner has his hands cupped beneath hers, “just in case” she drops it. 

Maybe.

Maybe the geometric symbol does something.  What does it do?  Do the aliens know what it does?  Maybe it stands for something.  What does it stand for?  Are they looking down to contemplate the majesty of this “thing” or was the geometric symbol just added later? 

You have to form your own opinion.  Art might ask questions but does not provide the answer.  You have to do that yourself.  What do I believe?

I think the two aliens love each other and the tall one is about to kiss the short one on the cheek.