Temporary home for nature
In this research Austėja explored the possibilities of natural materials and primitive technology while using only site-specific materials which were sourced from less than 100 meters radius around the residency, to reflect the sustainability and show the natural beauty of unique local materials.
This abstract object asks us to rethink the current relationship between humans and nature and express the ideas of biocentrism and ecocentrism, which ethically extend the intrinsic value of all living things and nature as a whole. The object also has a metaphorical meaning and invites people to create and build a home brick by brick for all of us, rather than collapse all the ecosystems on this planet. The biodegradable shelter constructed of mud-bricks was installed into wild nature where it can slowly incorporate with its own environment. In the near future it will be transformed by natural processes and eventually decompose into new hybrid materials, coming back to different layers of the Earth, and could again become into new forms of art.
Additional information
During a stay at the residency, Austėja explored the garden under which she found a cave with a lot of sand-clay material mixture which led her to explore the technology of the mud-brick processing. The artist was inspired by ancient organic materials, which had a plasticity property, used by the first people on Earth. In this research she had a chance to experiment with various natural materials to create these bricks, which were used in a land art installation. Austėja have made all the bricks by using primitive technology, such as body weight to mix and press, and natural sunlight to dry.
Information submitted by the maker and edited by the Future Materials Bank.
Ingredients
Mud, straw.