"A Tree A Day," Photographs by Vittorio Caretti

Opening reception for “A Tree A Day,” Photographs by Vittorio Caretti. Art Exhibit runs Jan 6–Feb 17, 2024.

ARTIST STATEMENT:

A Tree A Day
“…In their rightness the tree trunks are socialists…”
-Amiri Baraka

Trees, often overlooked, like so many of us are subtle reminders of how much we miss in this life. They absorb, remember, outliving most of us. Yet, we do not notice their beauty, evolving through the seasons because so often we do not look up.

This series began photographing a tree I looked at from my window every day. I came to find out this was one of the oldest trees in the neighborhood. I would look at its trunk, its bark, but never realized how important this tree had been. It has its own history, written on its contours, reminding me that trees, like us, absorb so much of what happens around us all. As I looked up I was struck by the expansiveness of this tree and wondered what memories of mine it would retain when I am gone.

I have since taken this series around the block, city and wherever my travels take me. Always looking up, I am inspired by trees and their beauty, contours, and the power they have to help me escape what ails me while reminding me beauty is all around.

I play with colors and tones to convey the feeling of the moment. My hope is after seeing this work, people will pause and see the beauty that so often goes unnoticed.