Venice Beach's Treeman: An Icon Tackles Homelessness Through Performance and Passion
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- Опубліковано 11 тра 2024
- On the sunlit stretches of the Venice Beach Boardwalk, an extraordinary figure named Lionel Powell, also known as "Treeman," captured the attention of onlookers on Sunday, May 12, 2024. Towering at 10 feet, thanks to his stilts, he interacted with passersby, greeting them, engaging in photo ops, and spreading a profound message with his unique presence.
Powell, embodying a walking, talking tree, channels his persona to delve into themes of human nature and survival. Beyond his captivating appearances, Treeman’s backstory touches on deeper social issues - he is navigating the harsh realities of homelessness and seeking personal reconciliation with his past.
Venice Beach, California, known for its vibrant culture and spirit of expression, serves as the backdrop for Treeman's mission. Through stiltwalking and other forms of creative movement, he experiences what neuroscientists refer to as a "flow state," eliciting a sense of well-being and positive feedback from interactions that are mutually enriching.
Despite his visibility and the joy he brings, Powell faces personal struggles. Living without a home in Venice Beach, he embodies a unique facet of social activism, striving to uplift others while also confronting his own fragmented life story. His journey from a challenging childhood in Brooklyn’s Marcy Projects - a place he shared close proximity to the famed rapper Jay-Z - to his days as a stilt performer at Disney World, reveals a life marked by drastic highs and lows.
Today, estranged from his family and navigating homelessness, Treeman's experiences have become a crucial part of his message and identity. As he works to break a two-decade-long cycle of homelessness, his story is a poignant reminder of the societal challenges many face and the resilience required to overcome them.
Lionel Powell’s life is not just a story of individual survival but also a call to action. By sharing his journey, he aims to lead and inspire others who are similarly affected, facilitating pathways out of homelessness and advocating for social change. Through community engagement and his artistic expression, Treeman continues to be a symbol of hope and transformation along the Venice Beach Boardwalk, reminding us all of our intrinsic connection to nature and each other.
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Fabian Lewkowicz is an award-winning Santa Monica-based professional photojournalist and press photographer, and the creator of the photo blog, Santa Monica Close Up. With years of experience as a staff photographer for several media outlets including the Santa Monica Daily Press, Santa Monica Mirror, Santa Monica Observer, and the Santa Monica Corsair, Fabian has captured some of the most iconic moments of Santa Monica.
Fabian's photographs have been exhibited in a variety of settings, including museums, art galleries, hospitals, department stores, banks, fire stations, police stations, commercial buildings, amusement parks, offices, and homes. His photography captures the essence of Santa Monica, from its beautiful landscapes and stunning sunsets to its unique culture and diverse community.
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TAGS: Photojournalism, Photojournalist, Documentary, Cinema Verite, Fly-on-the-wall, Observational Photography, Press Photography
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(C) 2024 Fabian Lewkowicz/Santa Monica Closeup. All Rights Reserved.
I’m the Sandlady of Venice Beach.. Hi Lionel ❤️ It wonderful to see you getting the recognition you deserve . I’ve always enjoyed our conversations together n Venice💕🙌🏽
Uplifting video and description. Walking trees spreading kindness. What a great idea❣️
Well said. Treeman aka Lionel Powell is a friend, and he spreads love with no condition. He's original.
Now that's living ART!
I have pictures with the Ent from 20 years ago!!! Of course, I'm hugging his 'trunk' ❣️
They are one of the cooler sights on the board walk.
Glad to see a return of the 'FLAVOR' of Venice circa '70-'80s.
signed:::" SUPERMAN' 79'-83'
He is such a nice guy , sweet soul!
Venice is one of the birth places of L.A. trends ...amazing thinking outside the box
Tree Man!!! 🥰🥰🥰
That's Fd up you didn't give a fist bump !
He was afraid he would get a sliver.
They bring back the 'FLAVOR' of Venice, circa '70=-'80s.
signed:::: SUPERMAN of Venice, '79-'83
I love treeman
Attracting tree huggers , nice creative fun I enjoy this
I love this so much 🥰
May the Forest be with You…
Making like a tree and leavin
I admit as weird at it is, they seemed so kind and considerate to everyone. It's a nice change.
Ya…he is tackling
I always knew California was a big nut bowl, your videos prove it
Very botanical!
Fruits and nuts
Awesome, is that Daisy the girl tree? I think so.
I think it is. Kudos to Dais y...much love ❤️ 😍 💖
@@madefree55 Not Daisy...zoom in, no arm tats, facial features not the same. 🤦♀
@@lovesmimiv6583 And she would have to practice to be able to walk on those stilts, probably a few years.
Vega Bonita
🌴🤗s
Vega Bonita
🌴🤗S
Kudos to Daisy...much love ❤️ 😍 💖
Not Daisy! Zoom in, facial features not the same, no arm tats!
@@lovesmimiv6583 That's for sure and if those are the same kind of stilts the drywallers use to plaster ceilings without a ladder, they take a lot of skill to use, I tried them years ago and they were too sketchy and I used to ride a skate board to work a couple miles every day
Vega Bonita
🌴🤗S
Not Daisy ☺️
Vega Bonita
😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱👀❤️ 🌴 🌴
I am Groot.😊😊😊
Awesome, maybe not daisy, really cool
It isn't Daisy...zoom in.
Definitely not Daisy 💐
But we wood Love to
Grow on a nature walk with her also ASA🌴ree🙏
Don't stand still for long, Tree Man, because the gang bangers will tag you!
Cool the new gimmick on Venice beach is born lol
Where’s Harry Perry?
Harry Perry is always there.
I Tree him All the time 😀
It's crazy how many illegal vendors are on the boardwalk, did they change the regulations?
They live in a trunk of a car.
Some dog peed on his leg
I few different dogs 😀
Venice is Dog Town.
I Have lots of friends who are Dogs. We grow way bark🤔🤩
The Jolly Green Giants, anything to make a buck . 😂
That's not uncommon for Venice beach. It looks like it's been cleaned up & I don't see any homeless people. I have heard the bush is making a comeback so ladies you need to get with the program & the times. ✅🏖️🌅