I remember when the Berlin wall came down and the excitement around the world that reason had took hold and people were finally free. The idea of putting up big walls on this earth that we are only borrowing from our children seems so small minded and petty. I have been to other countries with their own walls and seen the sadness in peoples eyes that were separated from family and friends by this big barrier put in place by elites as part of a big chess game . When I heard that Trump wanted to build a new one I really couldn't believe that in a world where they were mostly being torn down this muppet wanted to build another one and now in 2018 we are possibly looking at another one separating the north from the south of Ireland. If I was an alien looking down or a worm looking up I'd think that humans were a very sad idiotic species.
Here i am, stuck in the middle with you
In Berlin there is an area of the wall still remaining. I think as a reminder of those horrible times and as a lesson to not let it happen again. The Nomansland between was converted into a wonderful location for the 2003 Sandsation sand sculpture festival.
There were a collection of solo sculptures carved by artists from all around the world and one big demo sculpture that I was there to help create.
Working with around ten other carvers of various skill levels we were asked to make a piece about the wall. Being a high pointy sculpture the idea of a wall didn't really fit the pile so we had to think of a way to keep the height and in some way represent the wall. It was decided upon to represent the wall as dominoes and the cascading effect the fall of it actually had.
A baby up the top representing innocence sets off the chain reaction and the dominoes spiral around the sculpture as they came do with other elements helping it along it's way.
I think the concept was quite strong but working with sculptors of different skills and trying to give everyone a place to work it lost its flow very quickly.
The Tepid War
Like the Wall, the Dominoes lost their importance and further down we played with the idea of what has happened since then. Keep in mind this was made in 2003 before Russia and America became what they are today.
I made a Russian and an American Soldier playing cards on each side of the Brandenburg gate (I was asked to add some Architecture. They still play their silly games as they eye each other accross the remnants of the iron curtain.
Carnival
As a project we had a great time even though the sculpture became a large blancmange of ideas. There was definitely a carnival atmosphere in the nomansland of parties and creativity.
Being so close to the historic wall with it's iconic graffiti I had to add my stamp so got a spray can and made my tag (that's how the kids say it). My first time to try this, i know, I'm no Banksy.
Other artists came and played with us including some body painters. This is something I have played with a bit and would love to do more. The human body is an amazing canvas and along with the sand can have some really interesting effects.
Ps
Thanks for reading. I use Steem to document my work as an ephemeral Sculptor of sand, snow and ice, among other things. This will hopefully give it a new life on the Steem blockchain. Below you will find some of my recent posts.
Dreamtime - sand sculpture
Thorny Vines - ice sculpture
4D Train (Remastered - sand sculpture
I hope you'll join me again soon.
@ammonite