“Log Stands” By Todd Benson
Standing under these historic limbs, letting my eyes wander over their weathered exterior, it feels as if I am in a museum many years from the present time, looking upon the remnants of what was once a flourishing population. The setup of the three tree limbs supported by metal stands resembles that of a museum exhibit. Their sheer size is almost overwhelming to the point where I am reminded of a time as a young child, when I walked beneath the ancient bones of colossal dinosaurs in a great museum.
In addition to serving as a time portal, Virginia Overton’s “Log Stands” act as a symbol for nature and humankind. Each log balances on a metal stand, the dry tree limbs symbolizing nature while the steel support represent humankind. Nature’s fate rests in the hands of humanity, and the balance can easily be upset.