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The Compliment Tree
Photos by Amanda Moisuk
Amanda Moisuk didn ’ t expect the publicity that her first assignment for her U of R , Faculty of Education , Visual Arts ( EVIS 101 ) course received .
The project was to create a place-based piece of artwork that was a response to a place of her choice . Immediately , Amanda knew that she wanted to do something outside . Amanda says , “ Many of my favorite moments happen in nature . I grew up spending a lot of time outside and it filled me with a great respect , a reverence , and a deep love of nature .” Amanda had to be able to take her project into the classroom , so she decided on two more requirements : it had to be positive , and it had to be interactive .
Unsure of what to do for her project , Amanda decided to go for a walk around Wascana Lake . She says , “ The wind was blowing through the leaves and I was thankful for getting some time to be outside with the beauty of the trees . I laughed at the next thought that entered my head , ‘ What would happen if the trees could talk back to me ?’ I laughed at the prospect of getting compliments from a tree ! I then realized that was my project : The Compliment Tree .”
So , Amanda bought precut , brown card stock and punched holes in the cards with a dragonfly punch . She decorated the cards with green , brown , purple , and copper marker accents in different patterns . She then tied twine on them and went to hang them on a tree .
Early in the morning on September 15 , Amanda drove around Wascana Park until she got to the old Broad Street Bridge . From there , she walked to a location that she liked and tied her cards and markers with twine to a tree . Amanda says , “ I put up a sign that explained the purpose of the project and that it was part of my Arts Education degree . I invited participants to take a compliment , leave a compliment , or admire the project . I also explained I would leave the project up for 24 hours to ensure that it didn ’ t turn into litter .”
The Compliment Tree gained media attention almost immediately . Amanda got a call from her instructor , Ned Bartlett , who told her that CBC Radio was hoping to interview her . Sheila Coles , host of the CBC Morning Edition , had discovered the exhibit on her morning run , saying
“ sometimes stories just fall from the trees , literally .” Sheila saw all the tags hanging from the tree , and was intrigued by the Compliment Tree project . The Morning Edition ’ s Iryn Tushabe began inquiring about how people were responding to the project . One interviewee saw all the positive messages that could make someone ’ s day , so she decided to add to it . Another interviewee said that it brings out positive emotion in all of us . ( Hear the comments at http :// www . cbc . ca / player / Radio / Local + Shows / Saskatchewan / ID / 2407371939 /)
After the 24-hour period of the exhibit , Amanda went to clean up the project and found that there were a few compliments taken and 10 left back for her . Amanda says , “ My favourite ( although there were many beautiful compliments left ) is the one that has a circle and a triangle on the card . I knew that meant that the compliment was left by someone who couldn ’ t write , yet they still wanted to contribute .” Even with all the publicity , this compliment is what made the project a success for Amanda .