Thatching
Sculpture 1:1 Mockup in 798 Art District Inspired by Up-Cycling
2011-2013
Inspired by the concept of Up Cycling and part of a larger exhibition on the theme ‘Appropriate, Mutate and Innovate’ located the Cao Chang Di near 798 in Beijing’s Art District. Our speculation was to create by converting drinking straws and a fishnet into a new product of increased value. This soft architecture represents waa’s design methodology of spontaneity and site specific. Where risk plays a large role in the forming of the architectural concept we hope these slap dash elements might give rise to unexpected moments.
The piece is draped; the Cluster becomes a dense surface skin. This textured surface, a layered amalgamation populated with smaller bundles gives the sculpture an adaptability performing, responding with to its direct context, a composition which appears awkward but hints intentionally at a character or a personality, we hope to imbed an association with the viewer’s emotion and evoke movement and force in an otherwise static object.
We hope to adapt the mock up to different conditions in a number of future exhibitions planned for 2014.
Some Facts about the piece:
- The installation comprises of over 70,000 drinking straws.
- It took over 7000 bundle was needed to cover the surface.
- A total of 450 hours to complete the installation.
- It weighs over 130 kg and requires 6 persons to lift.