Clemson Clay Nest

Nils-Udo, 2005

Photo Gallery

Artist Statement

A steep grassy slope leads down to a hollow flanked by trees and located on the edge of a forest. Profound clay soil. The project reacts and works with the natural conditions encountered there. We dug and modeled the hollow for the nest deep into the bright red ground. Afterwards, we built the high nest walls joggling and wedging long pine trunks with one another. We lined the interior of the nest with green bamboo sticks narrowing more and more towards the inside. The nest ground stayed uncovered. Clay as a metaphor for birth and life.-Nils-Udo

“About a dozen Clemson landscape architecture and horticulture students are working on the piece (Clemson Clay Nest), made with red dirt, bamboo and pine logs.”-Author Unknown

“I think the most exciting sculpture for the students was probably Nils-Udo’s nest piece, because they knew the bird’s nest form.”-Professor Dietrich