Wood, forests, trees: If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound? George Berkeley famously asked. And while everyone loves to mock this question, seriously: how can we know??
Our interstice on Wood reminds us of the many associations of wood: from pinecar derby (Boy Scouts, anyone?) to Hansel and Gretel, our native trees and their various ecosystems, and most importantly: the relationship between wood/trees and civilization.
Were the Taoists correct in thinking that the uncarved block of wood best hints at the nature of reality, including of being human? Are forests places for elves, fairies, mystery? Does the forest represent the hidden, the untame, the wolf in the world?
Here are some images evoked by our reading. Can you identify any of them?
And who were Baucis and Philemon?
