towering tubular installation in rural russia by nikolay polissky

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.

the massive structure surrounded by visitors

‘beaubourg’ towers over visitors at the park

a detail of the woven, tubular forms

looking upwards, the sculpture soars overhead

the cavernous tubes extruding from the sculpture

a close-up of the intricately woven wood pieces

a light installation and music will accompany the sculpture