185 brilliant minds created a forest of stunning banners in the Times Square area celebrating the tree and encouraging conservation.  They are on display until October 31st when they will be recycled into tote bags and sold at an auction to benefit students of the visual arts.  Its a wonderful program.  Go see them.  Go to the website.  Buy a t-shirt.  Go to the auction.  Buy a tote bag.

From the Urban Forest Project website:

"Design Times Square: The Urban Forest Project brings 185 banners created by the world’s most celebrated designers, artists, photographers and illustrators to New York’s Times Square. Each banner uses the form of the tree, or a metaphor for the tree, to make a powerful visual statement. Together they create a forest of thought-provoking images at one of the world’s busiest, most energetic, and emphatically urban intersections. Following their display, (September 1–October 31, 2006) the banners will be recycled into tote bags and sold at auction, with proceeds going to scholarship and mentoring programs that benefit students of the visual arts. Some banners embody visceral responses to pressing environmental, political and social issues. Others use the evocative power of nature to develop rich patterns and abstract forms that delight the viewer. All contain passion, thought, and energy—qualities that only emerge when the world’s finest creative minds apply themselves to a brief they truly believe in."

Mark Kingdon