Bamboo in Contemporary Sculpture and Installation Art

Bamboo has been a subject of paintings andart itself that matters. Whether or not it lasts
artisanal crafts in East Asia for centuries. Shintovery long, is no longer the main concern.
shrines and Buddhist temples are often decoratedOne of the artists who has been highly integral in
with carved bamboo shoots and Zen paintingsexploring the temporary nature of art and the
featuring the bamboo plant. However, in the worldbeauty that can be found therein is Andy
of high art (especially Western art), the bambooGoldsworthy, who has produced some of the
plant has been relatively underrepresented.most stunning outdoor bamboo installations in the
Granted that, as a subject of paintings, the valueworld. He uses bamboo shoots and poles that he
of any plant (or any object, for that matter) isfinds already fallen and weaves them to create
completely subjective, bamboo as a material fordelicately precise structures that are distinctly
sculpture and installation art is incredibly versatile.man-made but that still feel fully natural. He
One of the reasons why bamboo and otherdoesn't use nails or artificial adhesives in his
organic materials have not been used as much forsculptures. Finding a natural way of making his
sculpture in the world of high art is that sculpturecreations hold together seems to be one of the
and monumental artwork was always perceivedmain challenges and joys of Goldsworthy's art.
as having to be permanent. Sculptures had to beAnother well known artist who is renowned for
made of bronze, marble, steel, etc. In otherhis bamboo installations is the New York born
words, stuff that was going to last for ages toGerard Minakawa. Unlike Goldsworthy's meticulous
come. But contemporary artists have for theand naturalistic constructions, Minakawa's bamboo
most part come to accept the fact of art'sstructures are epic, sometimes several stories in
ephemeral nature. Even the Egyptian pyramids willheight, and make unapologetic use of electric
someday be nothing but dust. So if nothing trulylighting and industrial contraptions. Minakawa's
"lasts", what's the point of trying to defy nature?venues reflect this sort of rock star art aesthetic.
Thus, sculpture and installation art does not haveHis bamboo installations have been prominent
to be permanent anymore. It is more theelements of Burning Man and the Coachella Music
experience of the creation and production of thefestival, among others.