Perched halfway up a hill, lies The Nest. The Nest is a sculpture by David Michael Bell and Gary Tippett. It stands as a notable landmark within Darebin Parklands. The Nest’s round form harmonizes with the landscape.
Though visible from the cycle trail, reaching The Nest involves a winding path. A pond, filled with rushes and reeds, obstructs a direct route. The pond offers a habitat for waterfowl. One must meander through natural parkland. The parkland boasts indigenous flora and fauna to reach The Nest.
From theatre stage manager to prop maker, Bell transitioned to public sculpture. Five years prior, he collaborated with Gary Tippett on a public artwork in Wodonga’s main street. Since then, public art became Bell’s passion. Bell also created the up-ended tram sculpture. It sits on the corner of Spencer and Flinders Street. It is called Raising the Rattler Pole.
Bell and Tippett know how to create a dramatic statement. They are dressing the urban stage. The main problem with their sculptures is that they are set dressing. They are meaningless decorations that get looks but say nothing. The best thing about them is that they fit in their location.
The simple round form of The Nest becomes more complex upon closer inspection. Recycled wood forms The Nest. The pieces of wood create patterns. The brown painted hand chiselled surface is stunning. You can explore an easy to navigate 3D sketch of The Nest. You can even see inside it.
Birds, more than any other animals, connect humans and nature. For centuries, birds have captured our imagination. They play a central role in mythology, religion, and folklore. They inspire our desire to fly. This inspiration extends from science to poetry, art, and music. Could birds have inspired the origins of our textiles and crafts?
Birds are the closest living relatives to dinosaurs. They may have been our earliest craft teachers. They taught us fibre use and technique. Birds weave, felt, stitch, and sculpt nests. They use only their beak and breast. From splitting to coiling, these techniques echo human crafting.
Margaret Castle’s exhibition ‘Nesting Habits’ consists of watercolours and sculptures of nests. The nests sometimes include carefully rendered occupants. Leaves, twigs, berries, and feathers surround many nests. These elements reference the woven forms. Her three dimensional nests reference the lives of the nest builders. They also show their scavenging habits.
Outside Melbourne Museum, you can see Bunjil’s vast nest. It is a tangle of branches and feathers. Bunjil is the Kulin creator being and Wedge-tailed Eagle. Inside the nest hangs a kinetic sculpture. It represents Bunjil’s wings. It shows the curves of the Country he created. It depicts the cycle of creation itself. As it moves and glows, Koorie Elders speak. They talk of Bunjil singing the Country, Law, and people into being.
So, as you observe The Nest, consider its layers of meaning. Think about nature, art, and the intricate connections that bind them. Let The Nest spark your imagination. Let it deepen your appreciation for the world around you.