The Dwellings exhibition at South London Gallery featured 23 designers presenting birdhouses inspired by modern architecture, exploring the significance of providing homes for birds and fostering a connection with nature. The exhibition included practical and conceptual works, with many pieces available for purchase to support community programmes.
The Dwellings exhibition at the South London Gallery showcased innovative birdhouses inspired by skyscrapers and modernist design principles, featuring contributions from 23 designers, including Andu Masebo and Rio Kobayashi. Coordinated by Computer Room and Flock Together, the exhibition aimed to explore the concept of creating homes for birds while reflecting on humanity’s relationship with nature. Held from 31 August to 1 September 2024, the exhibition included 22 diverse pieces, ranging from functional designs to abstract concepts. Designers incorporated various materials, with many reinterpreting traditional wooden birdhouses. Notably, Masebo created a birdhouse in collaboration with his carpenter uncle in Ireland, exemplifying remote teamwork. Butterfield’s design, Bird Metropolis, houses eight sparrow couples in a structure echoing urban architecture. Schofield’s birdhouse, made from renewable cork bark, promotes sustainable practices in urban habitats. Kobayashi’s whimsical The Guest House For An Ostrich is designed for height, featuring a scorched surface that suggests speed in aerodynamics. Other pieces included Baggaley’s organic ceramic design and Pappalardo’s metal sculpture, Ovulo. A charitable component aimed to educate youths about environmental stewardship through the creation process of birdhouses using offcuts from eyewear brand Cubitts. Artworks from the exhibition were available for purchase, benefitting the South London Gallery’s community initiatives.
The Dwellings exhibition serves as an innovative platform merging art and nature, reflecting on the idea of birdhouses through a contemporary lens. It aims to redefine traditional notions of housing for birds by incorporating modernist and architectural elements into designs. By engaging various designers, the exhibition illustrates the intersection of art, sustainability and environmental consciousness in urban settings.
The Dwellings exhibition highlighted a creative approach to understanding how to provide safe environments for birds, drawing inspiration from modern architecture while fostering community engagement and environmental awareness. The diverse range of designs and materials showcased the designers’ skills and commitment to expanding the dialogue around nature and urban living.
Original Source: www.dezeen.com