The artwork displayed at the pavement area near Supermarket, Dimapur on March 29.
Morung Express News
Dimapur | March 29
A Naga artist has used his artwork as a commentary on the felling of trees in the Supermarket area of Dimapur, and the lack of action taken by the authorities to uproot the tree trunks and use the space productively. Instead of decorative trees, the artist suggested planting of fruit trees which can become the ‘tree of life’ for the community, especially the homeless and those in need.
The cutting down of trees in the Supermarket area occurred after two people lost their lives due to gusty winds in October 2022, prompting the District Disaster Management Authority to issue an order to fell the trees. However, the artist questions why the trees were cut down without being uprooted, and why no action was taken after the trees were felled.
An assortment of at least 405 trees—mostly eucalyptus, and other varieties included Delonix regia, popularly known as Gulmohar and Ficus religiosa or peepul tree were cut down in this exercise, along the Nagarjan Police Point- Walford Petrol Pump stretch.
The artist, who wished to remain anonymous, spoke to The Morung Express about the installation, saying, “My proposal is to plant fruit trees. It'll be great for the community, the homeless or beggars, if fruit trees are planted instead of decorative trees. It's not only beautiful but homeless people or people who are in need can take advantage of the fruit trees.” He also explained that he chose anonymity because the “subject is more important than the artist.”
According to him, the artwork is a continuation of a previous digital work that was exhibited at the Nagaland Art Centre, Dimapur in December last year. The current installation features a tree with different types of fruits on it and the words “Y did you cut me down if you can’t even uproot me. Now I am growing again N you will cut me down again. You must plant fruit trees. (Sic)”
The inspiration, he explained, came from the ‘Tree of Life’ in the Bible, he explained, adding that he chose to use charcoal from the burnt tree trunks as the medium for the artwork, to create a strong resonance with the public. However, he expressed disappointment that most people were too busy buying things to pay attention to the artwork which was placed barely a few feet away from them, and that the response to exhibitions in general is generally low.
Nevertheless, he said the installation aims to highlight the need for the authorities to take necessary steps to plant fruit trees that can benefit the community.
The trees were cut down without any protest and what’s done is done. But now we can see that the same trees are growing again. The question now is ‘Why were the trees cut if nothing was going to be done about them in the first place?’ he added.
He further clarified that he has not put the proposal up with the government or the authorities but would do so in the near future. Right now, the best idea for me was to get the message across by putting this installation in a public space so that everyone can see what is going on, he said.
Interestingly, he mentioned that though most shoppers at the market area did not show interest in the installation, an older man who coincidentally, was injured when the eucalyptus trees toppled over last year, asked him about the artwork.
‘When the concept was explained to him, he told me that it was good idea. Two or three other people also asked me about the artwork and I explained it to them,’ he added.
“Since they have already cut down the trees, they should uproot and do what’s necessary considering the fact that they will only cut it down again when it grows bigger. Leaving it like this doesn’t make sense,” he reiterated.
