Nest Swing
Rhuba Phoil Forest Garden-Skye Permaculture
The purpose of this project was to experiment with willow sculpture building and to build a sculpture for the woodland walk on Rhuba Phoil. This is a very special place for me and I wanted to gift something to the project and Sandy (a good friend and the instigator of Skye Permaculture.)
Aims
- To use only local, natural materials.
To make a space where people can feel they can be with themselves.
- To create a good addition to the woodland walk.
- To see what will happen trying to complete the project alone.
- To build my confidence as an artist and designer.
- To design and build the structure in two weeks.
- To spend no money on the sculpture.
Initial designs and sketches
Good points
- Building the swing gave me a great feeling of being connected with nature. The materials were easily found and good to work with. The nest got it's name because of the feel of being inside it and also because it reflected the season, being built in early Spring.
- Half a mile away, The Clan Donald estate needed their Dagwood pruning just in time for the build. Originally I thought to use a little as decoration, but it was so abundant and heading to be shredded or burned, so I took the lot and wove it in.
- The work space was large and tools were close at hand.
- I had many visitors who heard about the project by word of mouth and wanted to see what was happening which gave me a good opportunity to chat with them about how it was constructed and why and a few different aspects of permaculture.
- When I needed some help there were very willing volunteers with some great ideas.
- Location-the swing looked as though it had grown out of the woodland floor, it was almost hard to spot if it wasn't for the straight poles making the tripod, in time this will also be disguised with honeysuckle that grows up rampantly through the trees.
- Sandy and the others on the Rhu were really happy with the outcome.
- I fulfilled my aims.
Bad points
- The weather was very cold and very wet for a lot of the build.
- Rope. I thought I would have enough time to make rope from natural materials but didn't allow the preparation of the plants IE, soaking in a river for a week before twisting. I didn't have enough time so had to make do with nails.
- I ended up using metal nails to pin the seat together because the cordiline rope I had was too thick and there wasn't enough to secure the seat slats.
Interesting points
- Building the nest was almost like a retreat in itself. I had a lot of time to see the different phases my mind went through from ajitated to full stress to happy, sad and extremes of happiness-all this with little influence from the outside world.
- I realized although I am capable of building structures like this alone, I enjoy working with other people on them more than I thought.
- Using the Dagwood gave a more organic and wild quality to the swing.
What I would do differently next time
- Make cordage before I began working on the sculpture
- Make and use wooden pegs to nail the seat together.
The main issue with these two points was the time, had there been more time I could have made both the extra rope and the wooden pegs.
Skye permaculture are always grateful for volunteers http://skye-permaculture.org.uk/