towering tubular installation in rural russia
images courtesy of nikolay polissky

 

 

 

a towering structural labyrinth of interwoven birch twigs dominates the landscape of a sweeping field in rural russia. the massive installation, ‘beaubourg’, is the lastest work of russian artist nikolay polissky, whose projects involve land art, architecture and walk-in sculpture. the 22-meter-high tangled coil of interlaced branches is elaborately wreathed like a giant basket. polissky worked with the bygone russian craft technique of birch weaving, completely canvassing the metal skeleton constructed beneath. a spiral staircase is encased inside, leading visitors to an observation deck which offers sublime views of the unstirred landscape of nickola-lenvivets and neighboring villages. named after the oldest part of paris, ‘beaubourg’ was conceived after polissky traveled to france. he was influenced by the architecturally renowned pompidou center, whose inside-out, tubular anatomy is references in the overall shape and silhouette.

 

the installation will serve as the nucleus for a comprehensive agenda of events and festivities at the nikola-lenivets art park, a suburban space outside of moscow. the program will feature dancers, acrobats, performance artists, and musicians and hopes to bring a creative and cultural presence to the village.

 

 


beaubourg
video courtesy of nikolay polissky

 

 

towering tubular installation in rural russia by nikolay polissky
the massive structure surrounded by visitors

 

 

towering tubular installation in rural russia by nikolay polissky
‘beaubourg’ towers over visitors at the park

 

 

towering tubular installation in rural russia by nikolay polissky
a detail of the woven, tubular forms

 

 

towering tubular installation in rural russia by nikolay polissky
looking upwards, the sculpture soars overhead

 

 

towering tubular installation in rural russia by nikolay polissky
the cavernous tubes extruding from the sculpture

 

 

towering tubular installation in rural russia by nikolay polissky
a close-up of the intricately woven wood pieces

 

 

towering tubular installation in rural russia by nikolay polissky
a light installation and music will accompany the sculpture