The informal, probably not even legal, self built structures at the inshore landscape next to the beach, with its strong organized private areas of lined – up beachhouses, which all look alike, a self – organized group of about 25 sculptural objects by anonymous builders extends along the inshore, a part of the coast which is in fact dedicated to flood protection. These sculptural objects are, after a closer look, shacks of different sizes, functions and shapes. Additionally to the shacks there are also boat ramps for small private boats, sculptures and „handicapped sticks“ which are set carefully to handle the unsurmountable rocks of the dyke. All seem to be part of a kind of „secret“ village on public property. The shacks are built either on the dyke or on the groynes, using the piled stones and rocks as foundation. They are all built of stranded goods as wooden trunks, bottles, all kind of small wood pieces and sponges; and joined together with ropes and fishing nets. To complete the pictures of sustainability the roofs are covered with reed, which is planted on the dunes behind the dyke. Found objects from the beach, leftovers from last season like old parasols and deckchairs, become parts of the shacks.
Shacks I series of approx. 30 C Prints I 60*40 cm I @Kay Fingerle I Venedig 2017
The variety of shapes and the visual and spatial power of the shacks were attracting not only my eyes. My deep interest is in researching the usage of space and it always becomes most interesting, when space is used in a unseen, non routined, „unusual“ way. This village of shacks shows its functions in many layers. First the position of the shacks on groynes and the dyke show the different use of the tides for swimmers, fishermen, sunbathers and others. The sun- and wind protection is readable from the shaping of the roofs, which become walls on some of the shacks. In smaller scale one can find built-in furniture like chairs, benches, seating areas, loungers, and a lot of useful features like hooks for foodbags or jackets and clotheslines for the towels. Besides that you find shacks with a desk to write or work towards the sea, chest of drawers, cabinets, possibilities to make barbecues, picknicks, a broom to leave the place clean, some instruction signs from user to user, a „thankyou“ – letter to the builder… The shacks on the dyke also function as bridges to overcome the dyke: they have small stairs or ramps, to reach the sea. All of them are partially temporary because not all parts stands the storms of the winter and will be renewed, fixed and fresh colored in the next spring. This project was developed during my Artist in Residency at the Centro Tedesco di Studi Veneziani.
Shacks I settlement I Drawing 150 x 40 cm I @Kay Fingerle I Venedig 2017
Shacks I series of approx. 30 C Prints I 60*40 cm I @Kay Fingerle I Venedig 2017