A sculpture project idea based on the work of Simon Laveau
I recently came across the work of Simon Laveuve's work through a facbook post by fellow art teacher, and Guru, Rachel Wintemberg. (If you do not follow her blog... you should).
I first thought that they were amazing bird houses, then realized they were sculptures. "This Is Colossal" writes:
"Enveloped by trailing vines and mosses, the dilapidated shelters that Paris-based artist Simon Laveuve crafts appear to emerge from a post-apocalyptic universe as eerie safe-havens. Often elevated aboveground, the miniature buildings feature vertical constructions with various platforms and stairs leading upward. “My pieces, for the most part, have this aspect of shelter… I like to work on the height and the inaccessible. Protection and surrender. Fallen icons and their symbolism. Resistance and insubordination,” the artist says."
I am considering using his work as examples for a environmental unit, and having students design bird houses to be put on some of the (unattractive) fencing around our school's campus. If we do, I will surely post about it, sharing the process. I will begin by collecting old metal bits and pieces and perhaps getting some epoxy with which students can assemble their work. We may be able to artificially rust some metal with verdigris paints and patina solutions.
I think that the base on which to build may need to be wood, and then covered on the outside with these delapidated exteriors. I am not sure a bird would actually nest inside a metal bird house, so a bit more research might be necessary.
Alternatively, I think much of this could be translated into slab clay construction. Once fired, colors and details will be weather resistant.
Here are some more images of Simon's work:
I first thought that they were amazing bird houses, then realized they were sculptures. "This Is Colossal" writes:
"Enveloped by trailing vines and mosses, the dilapidated shelters that Paris-based artist Simon Laveuve crafts appear to emerge from a post-apocalyptic universe as eerie safe-havens. Often elevated aboveground, the miniature buildings feature vertical constructions with various platforms and stairs leading upward. “My pieces, for the most part, have this aspect of shelter… I like to work on the height and the inaccessible. Protection and surrender. Fallen icons and their symbolism. Resistance and insubordination,” the artist says."
I am considering using his work as examples for a environmental unit, and having students design bird houses to be put on some of the (unattractive) fencing around our school's campus. If we do, I will surely post about it, sharing the process. I will begin by collecting old metal bits and pieces and perhaps getting some epoxy with which students can assemble their work. We may be able to artificially rust some metal with verdigris paints and patina solutions.
I think that the base on which to build may need to be wood, and then covered on the outside with these delapidated exteriors. I am not sure a bird would actually nest inside a metal bird house, so a bit more research might be necessary.
Alternatively, I think much of this could be translated into slab clay construction. Once fired, colors and details will be weather resistant.
Here are some more images of Simon's work:
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