Inside an abandoned school in Lisbon, Iranian-born, Brooklyn-based artists Saman and Sasan Oskouei have crafted a monumental adobe bomb cloud sculpture entitled The Weight of the Soil. This large-scale installation captures the image of a bomb cloud using earth materials such as adobe, soil, straw, sand, water, and wood. The creation embodies the fleeting nature of destruction, rendering it into something tangible and enduring.
From Fleeting Devastation to Lasting Presence: The Installation
Constructed entirely on site, the work makes use of a minimal wood framework cloaked in layers of adobe. This mix of soil, sand, straw, and water is manually sculpted into cloud-like forms, leaving the rough texture of the material visible. Unlike traditional depictions of explosions, this piece focuses on the aftermath—dust settling and materials hardening into a new form.
The Oskouei brothers’ choice of earth evokes a stark contrast. Traditionally linked with concepts of home and permanence, the material is fashioned here into a representation of destruction art. By situating the sculpture within a school abandoned for approximately 15 years, the artists further juxtapose the idea of a nurturing environment with the impact of violence. The building’s worn architecture becomes a silent participant in the installation, symbolizing both education and devastation.
The Intersection of Memory and Landscape
As the adobe hardens, The Weight of the Soil invites contemplation on how violence imprints itself not just on memory but also on the very landscape. By transforming an ephemeral image into a physical structure, the work delves into themes of memory, architecture, and the enduring nature of conflict’s aftermath, captured through the form.
Similarly, Tom Sachs and JJ Peet Transform Ceramic Disasters captures the essence of turning destruction into artistic triumphs.
By anchoring the bomb cloud to the physical ground, the earthen construction makes a powerful statement on permanence. The installation becomes a reflection on the intertwining of earth, architecture, and the memories shaped by violent events.
The artists’ work is a poignant blend of materiality and meaning, demonstrating how natural elements can tell profound stories. As the hardened structure begins to resemble a new landscape, it prompts viewers to reflect on the link between destruction and renewal—a theme central to their vision.
For more insight into artists like @icyandsot and their innovative projects, explore similar stories and submissions. The piece stands as a testament to the creative potential of natural elements when harnessed by visionary talent.
Sources & Links
Source: designboom.com
Frequently asked questions
What is the title of the sculpture created by the Oskouei brothers?
The sculpture created by the Oskouei brothers is entitled The Weight of the Soil.
What materials were used in the sculpture?
The materials used in the sculpture include adobe, soil, straw, sand, water, and wood.
Where is the sculpture installed?
The sculpture is installed in an abandoned school in Lisbon.