Tame and Wild Beginings
The Cat is a fusion of art and architecture, designed to immerse viewers in a walk-through experience of form and space. Inspired by the iconic pose of a cat, this sculpture explores the balance between a “tame” domestic figure and the “wild” presence it would have at a larger, public art scale. Recently showcased in the Tame and Wild exhibition in Barcelona, The Cat embodies my exploration of form, scalability, and spatial experience as both an architect and artist.
As an architect and sculptor, I’m always exploring the interplay of form, space, and buildability. This sculpture brings those elements together, blending art and architecture to offer an immersive experience that visitors can both view and walk through. Inspired by the classic pose of a house cat, I aimed to create something that feels “tame” at a smaller scale and yet "wild" and architectural at a larger scale—much like a small house cat compared to a lioness. This theme resonated with me during my recent exhibition, Tame and Wild, in Barcelona.
The Process of Designing and Building ‘The Cat’
I began with a series of models, starting with simple plasticine to capture the essence of the cat's form. This phase helped me identify core components, stripping down the design to create a figure recognizable as a cat but minimal enough to engage viewers’ perception. I then scaled up to cardboard models, refining the piece into a spatial sculpture by removing planes to create open, navigable spaces within the form. My goal was to invite viewers to experience the visual puzzle of recognizing a familiar figure through minimal structure.
After finalizing the design, I moved on to fabrication in Corten steel—a weather-resistant material that develops a beautiful rusted finish, making it ideal for outdoor public art. Learning to weld was key; working with metal allowed me to instantly create structural elements, giving the sculpture the necessary strength for larger scales. The finished Corten piece was shot-blasted for an even surface, then sprayed with water to promote an even rust patina, which adds both depth and resilience.
Reflection on the Outcome
The Cat stands as both a sculpture and a spatial experience. Made up of positive and negative spaces, it engages the viewer from every angle and encourages exploration of both its form and the “architectural” spaces within. Although it appears simple in design, the work invites an experience of visual and spatial perception, where the minimal structure conveys both elegance and depth.
With The Cat and future sculptures, I aim to scale these ideas into immersive public art that blends familiarity with architectural structure. I’m excited to keep pushing these forms into public spaces, creating experiences that invite viewers to connect with art through interaction.
Curious about the process or want to discuss a similar project? Feel free to reach out at Mike@theclancyworkshop.com.
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