Counterwork

Nest

Installation using rope and found objects.
2011

Commissioned for Testbed 1, Battersea.
7-14 October 2011.

An eight day live build during which I constructed a human-sized nest - similar in form to a spherical weaver bird nest - suspended from the pillars of Testbed 1.

The nest was constructed from objects and items that I found discarded around the location and on my journeys to the site. I also encouraged visitors to bring items with them (or once they had witnessed the work to go out and return with something they had found) for inclusion in the structure. The nest was suspended from the pillars and bound together with a continuous 1km line of rope.

I chose the form of a nest as a response to the rebirth of the building Testbed 1 occupies. The nest is a nurturing environment designed to protect its inhabitant and also prepare it for life beyond its confines. I invited people to contribute to the building of the nest as a way of creating a sense of joint ownership - that your visit and witnessing of the project contributed to its growth and influenced how the final form appeared.

Afterwards the nest was dismantled, the rope was collected and coiled up, and the objects and items were (where possible) recycled.

Time-lapse of the Nest construction.

Download the Flyer and Press Release.

Thanks to: Justine, Jasmin, Kevin, Will, Hayley, Miss Staples, the children of Year 5 at Falconbrook Primary School, and everyone that visited.

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Categories:
Collaboration
Exhibition
Installation
Interactive
Objects
Residency
Sculpture

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