A sculpture in the shape of a periwinkle shell, installed in a nature reserve on the south coast of England, is making waves. The artists defend their creation against critics who compare it to… the poop emoji.
A wicker shelter, designed to resemble a periwinkle shell, divides visitors to an English nature reserve.
Designed by Mark Antony Haden Ford and Rebecca Ford, founders of Two Circles Designs, the wicker shelter is part of their artistic approach of drawing inspiration from natural landscapes. Rebecca Ford explains that the inspiration “came while researching archaeological digs”.
She and Mark had “discovered medieval wicker baskets containing periwinkle shells“. “This inspired us so much that we created this shelter” she continues.
The work, intended to remain on site for three years, however, attracted unexpected criticism. In silhouette, some visitors say they see a disturbing resemblance to…the poop emoji.
Shared opinions
The reactions of walkers and bird watchers reflect very divergent opinions. Sean, a dog walker, says: “I can see it in silhouette here, and it really looks like a poop emoji, really.“
Others, like Pam, praise its integration into the landscape: “I think it’s absolutely beautiful. My husband and I think it’s charming.“
As for John Walsha, also a bird watcher, he refutes the comparison. For him, “It doesn’t look like that. It looks like a periwinkle shell, that’s obvious.“
“It’s up to them to decide.”
Faced with criticism, Mark Antony Haden Ford invites a free interpretation of art: “We are not looking for controversy at all. From the start it was a periwinkle“.
“Now I love that people can interpret art in different ways. If some people think this looks like a poop emoji, that’s up to them“, he said.
Rebecca Ford adds that the main aim remains to celebrate the history and natural setting of the site: “We appreciate that this sculpture is getting attention. If this encourages more visitors to discover this nature reserve, it’s a victory for us.”
Whether it evokes a periwinkle shell or a lighter symbol, the sculpture leaves no one indifferent.
wicker shelter wicker sculpture periwinkle shell poop emoji english nature reserve art and nature Mark Antony Haden Ford Rebecca Ford Two Circles Designs
