Blue Bower, during installation
Lashing willow, detail.
Stevens Point, Wisconsin.
Stevens Point Sculpture Park.
May, 2010.
Photo Credit: Tatiana Ginsberg
the sculptural work of nests
My sculptural work aspires to create an intimate space (either large or small) in which one contemplates, quietly, his/her relationship to the larger world. I refer to these spaces as nests, relating both to avian architecture as well as to the idea of spatial relationship (one thing nesting within another); an exploration of the interconnected world in terms of microcosm/ macrocosm.
"The two kinds of space, intimate space and exterior space, keep encouraging each other, as it were, in their growth.......when we examine a nest, we place ourselves at the origin of confidence in the world, we receive a beginning of confidence, an urge toward cosmic confidence. Would a bird build its nest if it did not have its instinct for confidence in the world?"
~Gaston Bachelard, The Poetics of Space: The Classic Look at How We Experience Intimate Places
Image: Blue Bower, during installation. May 2010.
Photo Credit: Tatiana Ginsberg.
Blue Bower, during installation
Lashing Willow.
Stevens Point, Wisconsin.
Stevens Point Sculpture Park.
May, 2010.
Photo Credit: Tatiana Ginsberg
Blue Bower, during installation
Stevens Point, Wisconsin.
Stevens Point Sculpture Park.
May, 2010.
Blue Bower
View of Bower from back.
June 2010.
Blue Bower
View of Bower interior from back.
June, 2010.
Blue Bower, during installation
Hanging lines of omikuji with Tatiana.
Stevens Point, Wisconsin.
Stevens Point Sculpture Park.
May, 2010.
Photo Credit: Tatiana Ginsberg
Blue Bower
Sky view from inside Blue Bower.
June, 2010.
Blue Bower
View of Bower through peripheral lines of omikuji.
Stevens Point, Wisconsin.
Stevens Point Sculpture Park.
May, 2010.
Photo Credit: Tatiana Ginsberg
Blue Bower
Approaching Blue Bower from the first of two paths.
Stevens Point, Wisconsin.
Stevens Point Sculpture Park.
June, 2010.
Blue Bower
Entrance to Blue Bower.
blue bower
Blue Bower is a long-term but ephemeral on-site installation in collaboration with Tatiana Ginsberg. Created spring 2010.
The structure is comprised of two arcing fences, reminescent of the nest of the satin bower bird of Australia. Whereas the bower bird's blue-ornamented nest is designed for mating, this installation offers a spatial irony: an intimate space of long & lasting meaningful connection. The blue ornaments are indigo-dyed "omikuji" (paper fortunes/wishes found at Japanese shinto shrines) with 8 words silk screened in the artists' handwriting. The words include: exploration, patience, through, intimate, mindfulness, immensity, resilience, and compassion. The space and aspirations of the indigo-dyed omikuji invite visitors into a contemplative space. Constructed of willow, birch, twine and indigo-dyed japanese paper.
It was installed at the Stevens Point Sculpture Park, Stevens Point, Wisconsin.
All images copyright Kirstin Alana Baum.