Today scaffolding was removed from the first completed section of the Dougherty installation. There are several more sections yet to be completed, but having the chance to wander into one of the picturesque structures this afternoon was pretty awe inspiring.
It is a true delight to see wood woven so intricately together on such a large scale and to be able to interact with it. This is a piece to be experienced, not just viewed. Being inside one of the "lairs," as Dougherty calls them, the scent of the cut willow saplings and branches is incredibly powerful and transportive. Once you step into the space, Brooklyn seems to fade and a more natural, contemplative place emerges. In a city where you’re rarely alone in outdoor areas, being inside the sculpture gives you an immediate feeling of quiet, calm, and personal space. Small windows and openings frame garden views, and sunlight dapples through the branches. All around you is the color, smell, sounds, and texture of nature. Patrick Dougherty and his team of volunteers work on the sculpture each day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and welcome visitors.
