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Exactly 1,697 Origami Boats Flow Down to the Sea


From March 8th to the 24th, visit Cottesloe Beach in Western Australia to see a stretch of sand stunningly transformed into a temporary sculpture park. Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe is back for its 9th year. There will be more than 70 artists, representing over 13 different countries, that will collectively be displaying over 100 sculptures in this outdoor setting.

One of the standout pieces from 2011 was this sculpture that consisted of 1,697 handmade paper boats. Out of all the works that were displayed that year, Lifeboat, created by four young Central Institute of Technology art graduates, won the overall grand prize, a $15,000 NAB WA Sculpture Scholarship. The boats were not just hand folded, they were dipped in paraffin wax, which gave them that beautiful blue color. They were then stabbed so that each had a drainage hole, just in case it rained.

The unique installation was a wonderful tribute to the area's history. Cottesloe was discovered by Dutch sea captain Willem de Vlamingh in 1697 and the exactly 1,697 waxed paper origami boats trailing down the terraces symbolized that historical moment.

Doesn't this remind you of Claudio Benghi and Gloria Ronchi illuminated paper boats installation?








The Creating Artists: Marwa Fahmy, Stephen Genovese, Elizabeth Marpole and Kate Parker

Photo credits: Graham Lees, Homely One, Your Cott, Tobob, The Loop, ABC

 

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