artist imprisons 3D printed 'mini-me' in birdcage to question contemporary ways of living

in ‘comfortable captivity’, benjamin nordsmark imprisons a 3D-printed miniature version of himself inside a birdcage as a commentary on the contemporary way of living. by combining handmade techniques with high tech methods, the danish artist and cabinetmaker aims to create a bridge between past and future in order to question the way people struggle to move forward by remaining attached to the past. 

comfortable captivity is composed of a chinese birdcage with a tree seemingly growing inside it, which was handcrafted using steel wire, plaster and paint. a miniature version of benjamin nordsmark, created in collaboration with doob 3D technology,  sits on one of the tree’s central branches, looking out towards the only possible exit. a portrait of the modern life of people who choose the easiest and safest path instead of exploring new environments and challenges, the piece looks to trigger the audience’s attention and urge them to reconsider the way they decide to live their life. 

comfortable captivity is part of the copenhagen creatives exhibition at maison du denmark in paris, where it will remain on view for the rest of september. the show includes ten artists that have been selected to represent denmark under the theme of ‘how technology influences modern art’.

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: sofia lekka angelopoulou | designboom