Scaffolding and art aren’t exactly two words we think of in the same breath. We typically think of scaffolding as something that’s maybe a bit of a nuisance, maybe a bit ugly or just a means to an end to fix or construct something better. But we think if you take a closer look then there’s more than meets the eye. No, we haven’t lost the plot.
Scaffolding might not be the first thing you think of when you hear the word “art”, but we think it’s got a certain charm. Picture this, towering structures elegantly pieced together with precision, neat horizontal lines and sharp right angles create a pleasing symmetry against the high blue sky backdrop. Alright we might be going a bit overboard here, but hear us out.
Functional beauty: The art of scaffolding design
We recently had a job at Barking Pier. The Pier needed some maintenance work, which meant that engineers needed to inspect the Pier from all angles, that means underneath too! But how do you get to that angle? Well, firstly you need a good plan. We can’t plant the scaffolding in the bed of the river – it isn’t solid enough. So instead we have to engineer a type of scaffold called cantilevered scaffolding. In essence it means it’s hanging but balanced and countered by its own weight further above. Have a look at the timelapse video below:
There’s a scaffolding structure above the pier that counters the weight of the scaffolding under the pier, which makes it look like it’s hanging. And, in these images below you can see the scaffolding boards placed all across to enable perfect viewing for inspection. This is all done without damaging the pier.
Scaffolding as art: Magnificent scaffolding sculptures
While the above is about the practical use of scaffolding, Artist Ben Long has used scaffolding as a means to create art. Ben has created numerous art installations using scaffolding and most notable was the lion scaffolding sculpture he created in Bruce Castle Museum in London in aid of the 2012 London Olympics.
Ben was quoted as saying this about the project: “The model for the lion was five months in development, yet it took only three weeks for me and my team of two to construct at full scale. The project is really all about preparation and planning and there are very few creative decisions made at the construction stage. All that has been taken care of in the studio. The final few weeks are just about pure scaffolding and hard graft.”
Another artist making ‘waves’ by using scaffolding for art is Jarrod Taylor. Jarrod created this magnificent scaffolding structure titled, “Structural Wave” in Australia overlooking the sea. Weighing approximately 6 tonnes and at 8 metres high the powerful structure certainly has an incredible presence.
Image by Sculpture by the Sea.
Related Posts
