Information
Bonsai Staircases
Michael McKee's bronze sculpture series, Bonsai Staircases, combines bonsai tree forms with staircases, escalators, elevators, and bridges.
Who amongst us hasn't longed to climb the branches of a great tree? To look out from where the squirrels chatter and the birds fly. To feel a cool breeze in the summer heat and gaze upon far vistas. I know I have, especially when I was young and could climb. And who doesn't want to feel young again. Even now to see a tree is to want to climb it. A primitive call not just to stand before it, but to climb to the heights and see what the tree sees, to be exhilarated, to feel alive. So I have built trees, all sorts of trees, with staircases and elevators and escalators to take us there no matter our age or natural ability.
It was John Naka who gave me my early education about the art of bonsai tree forms. Later, I learned to appreciate the art of staircases while constructing my family homes. Then one magical day my mind saw the similarities of form and combined the two. A staircase usually exhibits a run, and a landing, a run, and a landing about a central support. A bonsai tree has a right, a left, a front, and back branch all supported by a strong central trunk. In addition to staircases, many bonsai tree styles lend their form to other modes of people conveyor systems. A formal upright tree easily translates to a spiral staircase. A fire-gutted redwood is perfect for an elevator shaft. A wind-swept tree provides a horizontal bridge. A downward cascade offers an escalator. What follows are the unions of bonsai tree forms and people conveyor systems in an attempt to satisfy both spiritual and physical transportation needs in a single art construct.
From sketch to architectural drawing, to wood scale model, to mold, to wax, to cast bronze, to scaled up fabricated sheet metal bronze. Each a discipline unto itself. And someday I would like people to be able to climb my staircases, ride on the escalators, or take an elevator to the top of a tall building. This is the final journey.
In appreciation, thank you for teaching mechanical drawing in high school. Thank you to the many home builders I have labored with while learning construction and woodworking. Thank you Cabrillo College for offering foundry and mold making instruction and woodworking facililties. Thank you Monterey Sculpture Center and all the people who work there for mold, wax, bronze casting, finishing and patina work. Finally, thank you Cathy Fong for your many photographs and website creation. The journey and the people along the way are much of the story, and not to be forgotten.