Kuhleborn – The Story Book Tree

The book Kuhleborn: A Trip Of The Thames, Circa 1800, by William Lees Judson, about a canoe trip by Judson and famous London artist Paul Peel, inspired Philip to send a group of artists, ecologists and recreationalists down the Thames River, from the Forks in London, to the Lighthouse Cove on Lake St. Clair.  They recorded their travels in notes and works of art, re-connecting with nature–and bonding over the journey, while learning to see river life in a new light.

In Kuhleborn, Judson explores how nature and the city must find a balance, and encourages a civic compulsion toward the outdoors, back to the wild where it all began, where souls can look more easily inward in reflection.  So in effect, Philip has bridged the past century by connecting artists and experts from different times, with a common interest in considerations on how Thames river life can be better integrated into the urban ways of Londoners.

The Story Book Tree

The paddlers on the trip had time to ponder upon the current direction of their own lives, and how they could better follow in Philip’s footprints to foster a truly Creative Forest City, with the brightest possible horizons in the spiritual, aesthetic, cultural, historical, philosophical–and environmental spheres of society.

Afterward, The Philip Aziz Foundation organized a Thames Revisited Exhibition at the Forks of the River, where the public could view the canoe journey as interpreted through the work of the artists who were on the trip.

Meanwhile, an Ash tree fell on Aziz’s property, and he had it cut down and shipped for carving.

Now, based on Philip’s sketches, sculptors have worked tirelessly to draw out Thames River imagery based on  their canoe trip–with a dramatic portrait of legendary Tecumseh at the top, arms outstretched, being the planned crowning touch.

The tree is now on display at the London International Airport where it is viewed by millions of people a year.

The Mayor of London and the Manager of Tourism London have both delivered letters of support for the project, and are on board as it unfolds?along with a host of organizations from Nova Craft Canoes to RONA , to the Peterborough Canoe Museum–to the Ontario Minister of Tourism.

The Thames Revisited is a movement toward reinvigorated interest in the flora and fauna of our surrounding river-threaded wildernesses, toward a renewed respect for the environment?and with a firm grip on the pulse of culture and arts in the community.

It’s a project in the true Aziz-style: grand in scope, grounded in grassroots ideas?and with enough passion and momentum at the helm to ensure itself a considerable run of course in social and cultural change, as it gathers steam and attention around its core themes (culture, art & the environment)?and brings a London Ambassadorship to  the World.