"Right here in the tree, my man."

August 2, 2016 5:00 PM

Lionel Powell is an artist, a teacher, and TREEMAN — a Plantlike Amphibious Celestial Being in Venice Beach. [Vimeo, 2:47]

The Treeman of Venice [60-second docs]
"Going Green" -- Interview with The Argonaut
Treeman visits the Trey Whitfield School in Brooklyn [YT]
"The Treeman, an Eco-Warrior Defending Nature" [We Know Stuff]

posted by Room 641-A (16 comments total)

Is this the same Treeman who appeared on Broad City, or was that an homage to this guy?
posted by Atom Eyes at 5:05 PM on August 2, 2016

A while back, I was working in a famous poetry and literary arts building in Venice which is also home to a black box theater. The place also has a gallery which changes from month to month, whether it be paintings or installation art or other indescribable things in between. So I was not surprised to come downstairs one day and find a cluster of tall vines in the corner nearest the exit.

When the cluster of tall vines leaned over and said "HI!" in a commanding but jovial voice, I'm pretty sure my skull cracked the plaster on the ceiling as I leaped 15 feet into the air.

Love that guy.
posted by mykescipark at 5:18 PM on August 2, 2016 [2 favorites]

I want my life to be more interesting than it is. I want to braver than I am.
posted by eggkeeper at 5:42 PM on August 2, 2016 [2 favorites]

I want my life to be more interesting than it is. I want to braver than I am.

Well, Metafilter is giving you all sorts of options. Jump out of plane without a parachute, dress like a tree... endless possibilities!
posted by greenhornet at 7:01 PM on August 2, 2016 [1 favorite]

Oh, man, I'm actually going to be at Venice Beach next weekend... I hope I get to encounter this guy. It's sort of like Green Man meets furry, and I support this concept fully.

Plus, stilt walker costume artists are awesome. They bend reality in wonderful ways unexpected in daily life.
posted by hippybear at 7:45 PM on August 2, 2016

Lol, yeah they've got a lot of such beings in Venice Beach
posted by clockzero at 7:57 PM on August 2, 2016

I want my life to be more interesting than it is

It probably is and you just don't know it.
posted by aubilenon at 8:58 PM on August 2, 2016

I want my life to be more interesting than it is. I want to braver than I am.

The trick I've found about being brave in public is, the brave bit only lasts for the first 5 minutes. After that, it's just What You Are Doing, and it's all easy.
posted by hippybear at 9:02 PM on August 2, 2016 [1 favorite]

Kinda sappy.
posted by unliteral at 9:44 PM on August 2, 2016 [1 favorite]

Is this the same Treeman who appeared on Broad City, or was that an homage to this guy?
posted by Atom Eyes at 8:05 PM on August 2

It appears to have been the same dude and that makes me happier than I can say.
posted by ZaphodB at 1:41 AM on August 3, 2016

Damn, I should have checked that when I was there. Much better than seeking the house where the Dude from Big Lebowski lived :D
posted by ramonaflowers at 2:14 AM on August 3, 2016

The first time I saw him was on a busy weekend at South Beach Park, at the SM/Venice border. The park was filled and I saw him approaching and honestly, I was terrified! My brain could not process what I was seeing. I think everyone had that reaction but oddly, he's got such a powerfully positive energy that it was more like a benevolent alien had walked by us than a scary creature.

I've only seen him a few times since then, but one of those times I was walking my dog near his house and we started talking on the stoop for a good long while. He's got a good soul and gives great hugs.

Oh, man, I'm actually going to be at Venice Beach next weekend... I hope I get to encounter this guy. It's sort of like Green Man meets furry, and I support this concept fully.

You could drop him a note on his fb page and ask if he has plans to be anywhere in particular.
posted by Room 641-A at 9:23 AM on August 3, 2016

Reminds me in multiple ways of Thoth, on the other coast.
posted by gurple at 10:03 AM on August 3, 2016

gurple, I wrote an article about Thoth back in 2002 or so! Any idea where he is these days? Bethesda Tunnel misses him.
posted by gusandrews at 5:27 PM on August 3, 2016

and yes, their engagement with their backstories and their energy is very similar :)
posted by gusandrews at 5:31 PM on August 3, 2016

Was Treeman at the party scene in The Nice Guys? Because either I was hallucinating on red vines, or Treeman was in The Nice Guys.
posted by zippy at 12:25 AM on August 5, 2016