After Christmas
One morning after Christmas a few years ago, I was walking down the street and saw an abandoned Christmas tree on the sidewalk. I thought it odd, and, continuing on my walk, I found another discarded tree on the next corner and another just beyond it. I began to notice them everywhere I went. Each day more would appear as people shed their Christmas spirit, and with it their trees.
Christmas is a grandiose event in America, but I never bothered to wonder where those Christmas trees on American TV shows and movie scenes ended up after Christmas. Growing up in Japan, I never had a live Christmas tree in my home, and you won’t find many Christmas trees in Japanese living rooms during the holidays. That day as I was walking down the street in San Francisco, I realized that, until now, I had only seen the bright and warm side of this Christmas tradition. I felt sympathy toward these lonesome cast offs.
I took hundreds of photographs of abandoned Christmas trees on the street over the course of three seasons, and found each one to be uniquely endearing. Each of those individual Christmas trees had once been the center of a home; they were decorated with lights and ornaments, and provided joy and Christmas spirit to their families. To an outsider, Christmas trees seem to be a large part of the Christmas experience and tradition in America, which is one reason why I was inspired to photograph them in their discarded states, perhaps giving them a new life through my photography.
Looking at the trees I am reminded of one of the many nuances of the human condition. Many of us enjoy a peak time which might be related to personal relationships, career success, or just a time in life when everything works out. But then, we are sometimes faced with a decline in one or more aspects of our lives. Sadly in our culture people, once they grow older, can feel discarded. Others are cast to the margins of society, perhaps living on the street due to a mental condition or an addiction. Thankfully some of these people can find new life and new meaning when they are provided with support, love, and a chance to grow. Like these trees we are all individuals and can be given a new life.
11/06/2013
Read MoreChristmas is a grandiose event in America, but I never bothered to wonder where those Christmas trees on American TV shows and movie scenes ended up after Christmas. Growing up in Japan, I never had a live Christmas tree in my home, and you won’t find many Christmas trees in Japanese living rooms during the holidays. That day as I was walking down the street in San Francisco, I realized that, until now, I had only seen the bright and warm side of this Christmas tradition. I felt sympathy toward these lonesome cast offs.
I took hundreds of photographs of abandoned Christmas trees on the street over the course of three seasons, and found each one to be uniquely endearing. Each of those individual Christmas trees had once been the center of a home; they were decorated with lights and ornaments, and provided joy and Christmas spirit to their families. To an outsider, Christmas trees seem to be a large part of the Christmas experience and tradition in America, which is one reason why I was inspired to photograph them in their discarded states, perhaps giving them a new life through my photography.
Looking at the trees I am reminded of one of the many nuances of the human condition. Many of us enjoy a peak time which might be related to personal relationships, career success, or just a time in life when everything works out. But then, we are sometimes faced with a decline in one or more aspects of our lives. Sadly in our culture people, once they grow older, can feel discarded. Others are cast to the margins of society, perhaps living on the street due to a mental condition or an addiction. Thankfully some of these people can find new life and new meaning when they are provided with support, love, and a chance to grow. Like these trees we are all individuals and can be given a new life.
11/06/2013
