Budweiser Tree
On the intersection of East 26th Street and Kings Highway, aside James Madison High School, stands the modern Christmas tree, an aluminum layer cake of red and blue Budweiser cans taped together with flashing Christmas lights, accoutered with the Star of Bethlehem atop.
The Christmas tree has a rich history; coming from a Pagan background, it has spread to multiple cultures and religions. In Russia, it is treated as a secular signifying the coming of the New Year. In Christianity it serves as an ornament for the birth of Christ. In Brooklyn, across the street of house, it is a trophy of consumption and intoxication – basically, just celebrating the holidays. Contrary to finding it offensive, I’m fascinated by the range of subjectivity that the tree embodies. From a polytheistic idol to a Christian tradition, its pretty amusing to see the housings of barley malt at their fullest glory: a token to college drinks, football games, and domestic abuse. Traditionally, the tree evokes a sense of family, togetherness, and happiness, but here it achieves a fresher dynamic, commenting on the fun and profane, and the darker side of family life.
P.S. This was written before the Menorah was put up.
