Statements of Work & Process
Domus (2008)
Domus is a glimpse inside the shelter. It’s an opportunity to get a feel for what takes place inside; what the domestic consists of. We can get a feel for what makes a dwelling the place we want to come home to.
In making the various domestic objects and structural elements, my goal was to balance independence, simplicity, and expediency. No new tools or materials were purchased. Design was kept free of complexity in order to facilitate independence. I used techniques and materials at my immediate disposal.
Aside from steel rod stock, electrical parts, and fasteners, each piece in this show is made of condemned, salvaged, or renewable materials.
The Green Show (2007)
The three homeless shelters in this show share an important feature. All are constructed of recycled or renewable materials.
It is entirely possible that the wood in these pieces could have been recycled in a different manner or even composted. In the cases of Home and Winter Home, it is also quite likely that the fences the lumber came from would have been chainsawn into manageable sections and hauled to the landfill.
Instead, the cedar fence used in Home was salvaged literally days before it was scheduled to be demolished. It had become available less than seventy-two hours before its removal began. The redwood used in Winter Home came from an old basket weave fence. A chance encounter with the owners led to an agreement to salvage it for use as art material.
Winter Make Shift was constructed mainly of the wood from two young red maples. They were thinned out of a stand, allowing the other trees to grow to maturity.
It makes sense to rescue materials for use in my sculpture. The dozen or so outbuildings my dad has built on his farm are constructed largely of recycled steel and lumber.
Recycling also fits well conceptually. Homeless people must use whatever they can find when making shelters for themselves.
Tikkun Olam: Repairing the World, One Artist at a Time (2007)
My lighted sculptures are intended to alter an interior space. Organic form and natural materials are combined into an object that casts highlights and shadows on wall and ceiling surfaces.
Sheathing materials in the two sculptures presented here are recycled. The redwood shingles came from a salvaged basket weave fence, while the maple covering was sawn from tree trimmings.
Materials and light work together to create a comfortable space, a space that seems right. And possibly, comfortable space is enough space.
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All images ©David Hansen or respective parties.