Lightweight artificial rocks for living walls, green walls and moss walls.

The term "biophilia" was popularized by psychoanalyst Erich Fromm in the 1960s. In his work, he used the word (from bio-, meaning "life," and -philia, meaning "friendly feeling toward") to describe the biological drive toward self-preservation. In the late 1970s, American biologist Edward O. Wilson extended the word's meaning, seeing it as the perfect word for "the rich, natural pleasure that comes from being surrounded by living organisms." 

The first recognised creation of green walls or living walls was by Stanley Hart White in 1937. He developed his ‘botanical bricks’ invention alongside his teaching and built the prototypes himself in his back garden.  These were the precursors to the ‘vegetation-bearing Architectonic Structure and System’ which he patented in 1938.  This invention was a vertical garden system which could be built up to the size and shape required.

The green wall or living wall has developed from external structures to internal installations with not only real plants but artificial plants and real or preserved moss.  Until now I haven't seen any rocks installed alongside the plants.

artificialrocks.co.uk

 

St.John Ambulance Service

The NHS staff are doing a wonderful job at the moment. Sadly some have lost their lives.  St.John Ambulance Service staff are volunteering throughout Britain and have many staff working at the new Nightingale hospital.   They will also be volunteering at all of the new field hospitals.   Funding may run out in August and if you can possibly do so, please make a donation. 

https://www.sja.org.uk/donate/

Couple recreate beach in their living room to remind them of holiday home.

'Couple recreate beach in their living room to remind them of holiday home.'  That's the title of the article on the ITV.com website.  The title varies depending on which website you come across and it's a little like Chinese whispers where every time the story is passed on it changes a little.   One article mentioned a surfboard.   I don't know where that came from as we didn't have one in the video.  Around three weeks ago as a tribute to Olafur Eliasson's wonderful 'Riverbed' and as something to post on my Instagram feed I created a small 'installation' using recycled plastic pebbles, lightweight artificial rocks and some lava gravel. A very short while after that the coronavirus pandemic reared its ugly head.  We were early adopters of staying at home and avoiding unnecessary journeys.   Our family and many of our friends did the same.   In the early days of the pandemic the loss of life was still quite small and we shared quarantine themed jokes and videos on Whatsapp.   After day three of the lockdown the jokes were getting few and far between and were getting way off topic. On the spur of the moment while considering all those rocks and pebbles that were at hand I decided to create a beach scene.   The mock-up was based on our local beach in Cornwall: Crooklets.   The top end of Crooklets is a pebble beach with a massive expansive of sand when the tide is out. It's an accurate representation if I say so myself.   It took around 30 minutes to set up and Liz kindly posed as 'the sunbather'.   We really should take up film making as it only took two takes and the cost was zero.

artificialrocks.co.uk

'Not Riverbed' after Olafur Eliassons's wonderful 'Riverbed'. Those pictured are lightweight artificial rocks.

Artificial pebble beach.

Fake beach in the lounge made with lightweight artificial rocks.

The video: https://www.flickr.com/photos/artificialrocks/49731080331/in/dateposted/

'Not Riverbed' is not 'Riverbed' by Olafur Eliasson but a small tribute to it using artificial rocks and pebbles.

artificialrocks.co.uk

45 penguin nesting boxes for London zoo.

I was originally asked to provide penguin nesting boxes in time for Valentine's day but with one thing and another the decision was delayed.   The order finally came through and as soon as they were installed the penguins popped in for a viewing. Happy belated Valentine's day!

artificialrocks.co.uk

'Riverbed' by Olafur Eliasson and 'Not Red But Green' by Per Kristian Nygård

I just love these two installations.   I have long had an interest in recreating something realistic but removed from its natural environment.   I was slightly disappointed when I learned how Riverbed was installed.   The speculation was far mare enjoyable than the knowledge.   It was the same with 'Your Blind Passenger' at tate Modern last year. Once I had worked out that it was a relatively narrow corridor I lost a little sence of uncertainty and wonder, or should that be wondering.   Initially I had no idea how far the fog stretched. 

It would have been wonderful if the two artists had collaborated and Per had later turned Olafur's barren landscape in to a lush green pasture.  Next time guys.   I intend to create a temporary tribute to 'Riverbed' using lightweight artificial rocks and pebbles.   It's just for Instagram and Flickr so you won't have long at all to see it and of course it will be a little bigger than the early stage shown here!

artificialrocks.co.uk

Pebbles made from recycled plastic

Plastic waste from manufacturing is now being turned in to decorative pebbles.   The pebbles themselves are 100% recycleable but as they are very decorative it is unlikely these would ever be thrown away.   The artificial pebbles are around half the weight of real pebbles and are ideal where weight is an issue.   artificialrocks.co.uk