Shelter & Refuge

The sculpture has developed well and we have worked hard to realize the sculpture in a less formal sense.

By working with the willow and respecting it's properties the sculpture has naturally found its own limits.The unsystematic weaving of the roof has created a space that offers shelter and refuge. It will be interesting to see how the form develops through the seasons and for the moment I feel the sculpture needs to sit within it's environment to enable it to find it's own sense of place before any further development is made. 

Making a Den!

The sculpture is starting to develop further. As the willow is fresh it is easy to work with and the structure is building up fast. We are starting to introduce other types of organic materials such as moss covered branches and plan to build on this aspect further. The actual physicality in the making of the sculpture highlights so many aspects of childhood and the making of dens. The space that we are creating within the sculpture is very significant and needs to be explored in more depth.  

Organic and Unconventional

The structure is now beginning to take shape and as well as the willow we are introducing other types of wood and moss covered branches. The process of making the sculpture is very organic in its making and as it develops we are working hard to try and realize the form in a more unconventional way.As well as the actual main opening we have created smaller random openings were the surrounding land and nature can be observed when inside the form.

Making the Basic Structure

Andy, the students and I begin the basic form of the structure. Together we have prepared the ground laying wood chip to deter the growth of weeds inside the structure. The students are intergral in the making of the structure and they are involved in the development of the form.

Work Starts!

Andy and his team of students have coppiced the willow on site that we will use to build the sculpture. It's great that we can incorporate Horticaps ethics of recycling by reforming the materials into another form. By reintroducing the willow into the ground it will also generate re growth and the concept of the reintroduction of a living form within the landscape.

Design Concept

These are the initial design concepts for the structure. A tree like form with a small opening that generates an aspect of mystery and intrigue.The form appropriates the historical aspect of the land which was once an oak wood and the relationship with the charity organisation Blue Coat School who once owned the land. 
Aspects of security and safety within a space and the craft of weaving will be realized in the proposed use of willow as a material.

Blue Coat School

Horticap sits on land known as "Bluecoat Wood" this land was once owned by a charity organization called Blue Coat School which was founded by the York City Corporation in 1705. The school provided tuition, clothing and lodgings for poor and orphaned children. They were taught the 3 R's, and as well as training for apprenticeships at sea and domestic services they were also taught skills such as weaving and spinning. There is a real similarity's between Horticap and Blue Coat school in reference to the creation of a safe haven and a protected environment. These aspects will help to inform further development of the project.
http://www.yorkconservationtrust.org/ 

    http://www.album1900.com/