SANDWORM / Marco Casagrande

2012-02-16-archdailyreal.jpg  |  Posted: 04/10/2012 9:00 am Updated: 04/10/2012 9:00 am

By Diego Hernandez
(click here for original article)

Sandworm is an organic structure/space/creature realized on the dunes of the Wenduine coastline, Belgium. The 45 meters long and 10 m wide and high installation moves freely in-between architecture and environmental art and is constructed entirely out of willow following the local knowledge of a continuing interaction between work and environment. Casagrande worked hard with his team of young architects and local experts for 4 weeks in order to create something that he describes as “weak architecture” – a human made structure that wishes to become part of nature through flexibility and organic presence.

The visitors are describing the Sandworm as a willow cathedral finely tuned to celebrate the site specific conditions of the Wenduine tidal beaches. The space is used for picnics, relaxation and post industrial meditation.

“Inside the sandworm you are greeted by a natural spectacle of light and shadow. I was amazed," said Peter Beyen, a visitor. "How you can create such beauty with such simple natural materials. The artist believes that architectural control goes against nature and thus also agains architecture. The built human environment is a mediator between human nature and nature itself. To be part of this, man must be weak. To the Finnish artist Marco Casagrande designing is not sufficient. Design should not replace reality. The building must grow out of the location, it must react to its environment, it must be a reflection of life and also be itself, as every other living being.”

Launch Slideshow
 HIDE THUMBNAILS
1 of 17
PLAY ALL
VOTE ON THIS SLIDE

ADVERTISEMENT


Architect: Marco Casagrande
Location: Wenduine, Belgium
Project Manager: Nikita Wu / C-LAB
Organizer: Beaufort 04 Triennial of Contemporary Art
Built Area: 320 sqm
Completion: 2012
Photographs: Nikita Wu

Beaufort Triennial Curator: Jonas Vandeghinste
Casagrande Laboratory for Cicada: Jan Luksik, Jan Tyrpekl, Lukas Landa, Zuzana Hanuskova
Willow Experts: Karol Jaworski, Pawel
Beaufort Specialists: Santiago De Waele, Karl Van Kelst
Materials: Willow, Sand

FOLLOW CULTURE

 
 
  • Comments
  • 27
  • Pending Comments
  • 0
  • View FAQ
Post Comment Preview Comment
To reply to a Comment: Click "Reply" at the bottom of the comment; after being approved your comment will appear directly underneath the comment you replied to.
View All
Favorites
Recency  | 
Popularity
Page: 1 2  Next ›  Last »  (2 total)
11:43 AM on 04/11/2012
I'm enchanted. Nice feeling, being enchanted.
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
kinogod
word farmer
10:37 PM on 04/10/2012
Go to the casagrande laboratory website for spectacular photos in out and around.
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
ItsEmu
A revolution is long overdue.
07:51 PM on 04/10/2012
Belgium. Now that surprised me. I was expecting this to be in Africa.
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
photo
omegapoint
Why don't you just make 10 the loudest number?
07:19 PM on 04/10/2012
One never knows when one might need one of these.
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
TheGripester
bites when poked
04:02 PM on 04/10/2012
I predict that as usable space becomes more limited, this type of installation becomes more prevalent - structures that are made from natural, biological components that will be quickly reassimilated into the environment. Andy Goldsworthy is the master of this idea, working with stone, twigs, leaves, ices, and even raindrops.
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
sensimilla
Lead with your heart, and your mind will follow...
03:31 PM on 04/10/2012
omg, i want this at burning man!
02:16 PM on 04/10/2012
Surely that's the face of Jesus in there !
photo
darquelourd
You Get What You Play For
01:52 PM on 04/10/2012
I wonder if this is what it is like in the wormholes that appear and disappear between physical dimensions according to Quantum theory?
01:41 PM on 04/10/2012
Cool piece, but what a stupid description.
01:40 PM on 04/10/2012
Do they sell spice there?
photo
HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR
Clare53
01:30 PM on 04/10/2012
It's very beautiful.
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
RagdeSitum
Southern Strategy 1965-2012 RIP
01:00 PM on 04/10/2012
What a great dose enhancer.
12:48 PM on 04/10/2012
I love it. I like the curves and the light and shadow effects.
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
photo
cuoi
I wish everyone happiness.
12:55 PM on 04/10/2012
Ditto.
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
JohnCochtosten
11:59 AM on 04/10/2012
Looks like something from the Where the Wild Things Are movie.
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Roy l Payne
A Royal Pain in the...
12:30 PM on 04/10/2012
That's exactly what my grandson said when we visited a similar structure in Palo Alto.
photo
HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR
BuckyJamesDio
This monkey's going to Heaven
11:38 AM on 04/10/2012
My first thought was that these were the results from the Scarecrow's colonoscopy.