In March, artist Konstantin Dimopoulos and an army of volunteers declared their appreciation for arboriculture through a public art installation that applied a new hue to two patches of trees nestled on the Memorial Drive and Allen Parkway corridor at Waugh Drive.
Sponsored by the Houston Arts Alliance, The Blue Trees is a social commentary that lauds the critical role plant life plays in the survival of all species on the planet — particularly in light of the Great Drought of 2011 that stripped bare the verdant from the city's canopy.
Now that the ultramarine crepe myrtles are in full bloom, one can say that money does grow on trees.
Yet more than just a scene to be admired, The Blue Trees also offers a surreal environment in which Houstonians can experiment with photography. It wasn't long before amateurs and professionals took to their cellphones and cameras to capture the mystique of this fantastical world for portraiture and fine art photography.
Where else can you find a Avatar-esque backdrop this easily? And for free?
Now that the ultramarine crepe myrtles are in full bloom, one can say that money does grow on trees — at least for the next six weeks for one lucky nonprofit arts organization.
The Houston Arts Alliance is sponsoring a photo contest that awards $2,500 to a nonprofit of the winner's choosing. The "Blue Trees in Bloom" photo feud, which runs through Aug. 14, encourages entrants to post photos via Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #BlueTreesHOU. Each week, the submission with the highest number of "likes" will advance to a final round.
A panel of judges will select a winner and two runners up from among the top contenders.
Just remember to say cheese.
Konstantin Dimopoulos's blue crepe myrtles at Waugh Drive between Memorial Drive and Allen Parkway.
