Stickwork! - “Tilt a Whirl”
Stickwork! - “Tilt a Whirl”
Stickwork! - “Tilt a Whirl”
In Holden Arboretum deep in Kirtland, Ohio sits a sculpture unique in its form and nature. Unique as trees in the forest are different from each other. Inspired by the twisting and intricate pathways that insects make on leaves, this living sculpture imitates the wandering pathways, hairpin turns and frequent switchbacks found in nature. Patrick Dougherty has been creating complex and imaginative pieces of monumental artwork across the United States, having been internationally acclaimed, with his work being recognized by a worldwide audience.
The Scale of Artwork
One of his latest creations, the “Tilt a Whirl” stands 13 ft tall, 35 ft wide and 50 ft long. This maze of intertwined willough saplings forms a tightly woven structure that sparks the imagination and whimsy of those who experience it. Sitting at the top of a hill at Holden, the sculpture backs up to a birch grove, inviting visitors to stray from a rolling pathway to visit it.
What strikes me about this particular work is the different scales it can be experienced. From a distance, the piece appears monolithic, the light bending around a smooth and seemingly uniform surface. However, on closer inspection, the scale breaks down to smaller units, revealing individual saplings making up the whole structure.
This twisting maze of wicker is absolutely beautiful. It challenges your mind to imagine how such a structure could be created. The interactive sculpture is made completely from willow sticks and constructed by Mr. Doughtery over the course of a month with his son. It will stay standing for a full year until it naturally deteriorates.
Challenges in Nature
“While touring the Holden Arboretum, I was struck by what a wonderful public resource it is especially in these times,” commented Mr. Dougherty. “It offers people contact with the natural world in a refreshing way. I look forward to contributing a sculpture to such a beautiful place.”
Often, we walk through a place so many times, that we don’t expect to encounter something that challenges our perception of nature. The “Tilt a Whirl” at the Holden Arboretum is one of those unexpected and inspiring sculptures that expands our understanding of what is possible with natural forms.
