Want to see something neat? Check out the Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme to watch a master work on his newest installation.
North Carolina artist Patrick Dougherty's "Stickworks” are whimsical shapes and forms that sprout from the ground. They are formed from tree saplings and the hands of this inspiring artist.
Dougherty is bringing in over six tons of tree saplings to build the structure, without using a single nail or fastener. It’s amazingly held together by the tension from it being weaved together.
“The process in itself is fascinating… It’s rare that visitors get to watch an artist in action, especially on this scale,” said Amy Kurtz Lansing, curator of the museum.
His sculptures vary in type and range from buildings to people. However, the once constant in all of his projects is that they are inspired by their location.
Dougherty says that he was inspired on this build by the architecture of the museum and the many shapes and sight lines that make it up.
This Stickwork will form over the next three weeks and Dougherty’s design calls for a round and square tower connected by pillar-like walls according to Tammi Flynn, director of marketing at the museum.
Dougherty wants it to resemble a garden folly in ruins being overtaken by nature, said Flynn. He expects it to be about 50-feet long, 30-feet wide, and 15-feet tall and all built by hand.
Unlike most museums, visitors are encouraged to touch and explore the amazing structure that will be left standing thru 2010. After that, the saplings will have a date with the wood chipper and eventually end up in a garden near you.
Dougherty plans to be finished with the structure by July 24 and the artwork will be premiered during the Old Lyme’s Midsummer Festival during a free concert. Until then he will be working on the installation from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
