'Parasitic' Treehouse Sprouts From Apartment Building

'Parasitic' Treehouse Sprouts From Apartment Building

WMMNA has a link to an art show in Amsterdam that showcases a unique treehouse art piece.

From the WMMNA site: "Over the Top is about "parasitic" structures added on to existing buildings. My fav is Under Heaven. For an exhibition at the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, Leonard van Munster placed a 9 meter high tree on top of the building. Nested in the tree was a little dwelling made of fruit crates and other found materials."

The Dutch have a great history of people squatting in abandoned warehouses and industrial buildings. I've heard stories from people (such as my friend Mr. Hoogkamer) who have lived in such squat communities first hand. These are typically alternative / constructive / artist types who delight in transforming obsolete space into funky and comfortable living places of their own. The builders usually do it with a minimum of cost by using recycled or reclaimed materials and a lot of simple ingenuity. And the government bodies have made progress in the establishment of recognized rights for such shelters, to allow people to avoid institutionalized 'public housing projects,' and to indulge those who opt for a self-sufficient, self-empowering, self-made housing option.

Van Munster's piece takes the theme to a new height.

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