Nikolay Polissky Creates Towering, Handcrafted Structures Across Russia

Born in 1957 in Moscow, artist Nikolay Polissky creates impressive, handcrafted structures in the middle of Russia's vast landscapes. Mostly carried out in the town of Nikola Lenivets -- located 200 km from the Russian capital -- his works are built entirely by the area's residents, using local materials, such as branches, trunks and wooden tables. Traditional construction techniques are used as a starting point for the projects.

His work is inspiring not only because of its imposing form, but also because he managed to re-activate a semi-abandoned village through art and architecture, involving residents in the creative process and transforming the region into a sort of open cultural center. Since 2003, his work has been part of Archstoyanie, the largest Land-Art festival in Russia.

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Nikolay Polissky. Image © Andres Lejona

The work of Polissky falls somewhere between large-scale sculptures, temporary installations and vernacular architecture. Anchored to a spectacular landscape, they act as lighthouses, inviting the community to occupy a vast territory that seemed impossible to completely inhabit.

Their archetypal forms refer to classical buildings, like the famous Mesopotamian Ziggurats, while also referencing local structures that flood the urban landscape of the country, such as broadcasting antennas and industrial chimneys. His work often provides a contrast; for example, a strong column of smoke pouring from a delicate tower of branches.

Media tower (2002). Image Courtesy of Nikolay Polissky

They are temporary structures that evolve depending on the weather and the seasons. After they fulfill their function they are either recycled, burned to mark popular celebrations or left alone to be naturally incorporated into the existing vegetation.

Nikolay Polissky has realized more than 25 works in the last 15 years. View six of them below.

MEDIA TOWER
Nikola Lenivets, 2002

Media tower (2002). Image Courtesy of Nikolay Polissky
Media tower (2002). Image Courtesy of Nikolay Polissky

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LIGHTHOUSE ON UGRA
Nikola Lenivets, 2004

Lighthouse (2004). Image Courtesy of Nikolay Polissky
Lighthouse (2004). Image Courtesy of Nikolay Polissky

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LIKHOBORSKIE GATE
Moscow, 2005 

Likhoborskie Gate (2005). Image Courtesy of Nikolay Polissky
Likhoborskie Gate (2005). Image Courtesy of Nikolay Polissky

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HYPERBOLOID (VOLCANO)
Nikola Lenivets, 2009

Hyperboloid / Volcano (2009). Image Courtesy of Nikolay Polissky
Hyperboloid / Volcano (2009). Image Courtesy of Nikolay Polissky

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GATES OF PERM
Perm, 2011

Gates of Perm (2011). Image © Tima Radya
Gates of Perm (2011). Image © Tima Radya

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BEAUBOURG
Nikola Lenivets, 2013

Beaubourg (2013). Image © Ilya Ivanov
Beaubourg (2013). Image © Ilya Ivanov

Nikolay Polissky Creates Towering, Handcrafted Structures Across Russia - More Images+ 34

Learn more on Nikolay Polissky's official site.

About this author
Cite: Franco, José Tomás. "Nikolay Polissky Creates Towering, Handcrafted Structures Across Russia" [Las impresionantes estructuras artesanales de Nikolay Polissky] 12 Jul 2015. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/770049/the-impressive-handcrafted-structures-of-nikolay-polissky> ISSN 0719-8884

Beaubourg (2013). Image © Ilya Ivanov

Nikolay Polissky建造的俄罗斯手工艺术塔

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