Natural History by Patrick Dougherty is a temporary installation at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. The cocoon-like installation was created out of invasive willow saplings collected in Ocean Breeze Park on Staten Island, which were removed in order to protect that park’s native plantings.
The willow saplings have been woven into several small-scale shelters located in the Plant Family Collection near Magnolia Plaza. This is a long-term but temporary sculptural work, as the wood will eventually decay and return to the earth.
Inside a cocoon, the noise of visitors mostly disappears, leaving one with the feeling of almost womb-like shelter.
Patrick Dougherty is based in Chapel Hill and has been constructing these kinds of sculptures all over the world. To date, he has created approximately 200 stick-based installations, most located in private gardens or public outdoor spaces, but even including indoor sculptures and architectural interventions. Closest to Cincinnati is Dougherty’s installation at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark in Dayton, entitled A Wiggle in Its Walk.
Department of Everyday Visualingual 
Such stunning work! I wish I could visit these…Your pictures are most evocative, which is the next best thing š
Thanks! I visited on a crowded Saturday afternoon, so I had to really try not to capture other people in my photos. Once inside one of these cocoons, though, I could barely hear any of the crowd noises. It was suddenly very peaceful and quiet. A really wonderful experience!
Hi, I just wanted to say that I’ve seen this artist’s work, and it truly is wonderful and also kind to the environment. I hope to have a chance to experience this work on my next trip to New York City!
That’s great! I hope that you’ll have a chance to check out this installation. It’s the only work by Dougherty I’ve had the pleasure of seeing in person.
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