Axel Ewald - recent projects, discoveries & reflections

Harduf Playground

- continuing project - from Spring 2012

I had been asked by the Harduf Community to re-design and update the existing playground area for small children. An overall master-plan for future development was to be created, including the addition of innovative playground equipment, additional landscape features, improved access and other elements.

overall development plan

The new sculptural play-elements are to include:a wooden ship, a railway, a climbing sculpture, a labyrinth and an extension of the existing pond, including running water and a bridge.

sketch of play-ship

sketch of play-ship and bridge

The locomotive - made from whole tree-trunks

installation of the tree-trunk - turned upside-down

Work on the playground started in Spring 2013. The upper part of an oak tree which had died a year ago was cut down and used as raw material for the artist to carve a climbable sculpture. The lower part of the trunk remained to be transformed into a sculpture as well.

the tree-trunk beginning to be carved

construction of the labyrinth using interwoven branches

The basis for the labyrinth was built of interwoven branches, creating an undulating tunnel of varying height.

Then willow cuttings were planted along the walls of the structure and these given generous watering.

Soon the willow cuttings were leafing. And within two months the whole structure had become a green, living tunnel, giving shade and providing an exciting space for children to explore and to hide in.

the "greening" of the labyrinth

within two months the labyrinth has become a green tunnel

The next project was the construction of the spring and the water-course. This was built by the artist, using pond-liner, local lime stones, river bolders and cement.