Dream Tree 2.0
October 10, 2019
Just over 5 years ago, I started this blog with an entry about the installation of my “Dream Tree” at the Urban Chalkboard in Carmel, Indiana. (https://untitledevent.wordpress.com/2014/09/19/dream-tree-at-the-urban-chalkboard/ and the tree was the subject of many subsequent entries) And today, I write about it coming down. The Urban Chalkboard recently announced that they are closing their doors after their current lease is up. That means I am trying to find the next home for the tree.
But now, I am thinking of it as Dream Tree 2.0, as I plan to create an augmented reality experience for it wherever it ends up. Using your phone you will be able to view the tree from any angle and see it as it would appear in nature during the current season. Now that I have said that publicly, I guess I am on the hook to make it happen. So stay tuned for further developments on getting the tree out of its current location, into its next and then augmented with a cool new reality. When I started this blog, I had no idea I would be writing so much about that tree.
In anticipation of the closing of the Urban Chalkboard, I took my Matterport camera for a visit and captured the space. If you have never seen a Matterport scan before, definitely check it out.
You can see it here: https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=cVuQsGHvpHk
November 10, 2019
I was up at the Urban Chalkboard pretty early for being a Sunday. Today was the first day of the Dream Tree de-install process. The goal was to get the major limbs down (Several are bolted on) and assess whether or not a giant plate glass window was going to have to be taken out so that the tree could get out of the space. Five years ago, it came in through the window. After removing the branches, with the help of members of the Carmel high School wrestling team, I determined that with cutting off just one of the remaining intact branches I could get it out the door. Yay! That just saved $1,400.
Next is to load it on a truck Thursday evening. Two places are very interested in the tree and very soon I have to make a decision about where it is going to live on as Dream Tree 2.0.
Friday November 15th, 2019
Last night the moment had arrived to take down the tree and get it in the back of a truck. This is a very daunting task, especially the part where the tree has to go from vertical to horizontal. Luckily, I was able to get a secret weapon in the form of Deon Casey. I have never met Deon before, but he is a trainer and weightlifter. A graduate student of mine recently did a short profile doc on him. So I asked him to put me in touch with Deon. And thankfully he was able to make it last night. I don’t think it could have happened without him. We also reconvened the members of the Carmel High School wrestling team to help again. Still, despite all those hands on deck, it was a bit nerve wracking. Getting it horizontal was intense, but then again getting it out the front door was equally hard. Somehow we did it and afterwards I think we were a little surprised we did it. As we moved it up the ramp of the truck I looked back and saw the Deon was carrying the trunk up on his shoulder. I couldn’t believe it.
Big thanks to all those who helped load it up.
Saturday November 16, 2019
Well it is official, or at least official enough to put it out there. The Dream Tree is going to be installed in Carmel’s Monon Community Center located at 111 St and the Monon. A large room is being redesigned to be an indoor playground and the tree will be the centerpiece. And for the first time the tree will be mapped 360˚ with three 4K projectors. I am very excited about the future home for the tree. But it the meantime the tree had to go into storage. So yesterday we unloaded it into a climate controlled facility nearby. This time with the help of several Carmel/Clay Parks employees. And here it will rest until it is time to install in its new home. The architects are about to get underway with the plans and I expect to be installing the tree sometime this summer.
untitled event 