Nest

Installation using rope and found objects.
Commissioned for Testbed 1, Battersea.
7-14 October 2011

An eight day live build during which Rich 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 were found discarded around the location and on journeys to the site. Rich 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.

Rich 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. People were invited 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.