Michael Johansson’s Precisely Stacked Sculptures Give Found Objects the Tetris Treatment

Posted By Lori Zimmer On January 30, 2013 @ 12:42 pm In Art,carousel showcase,gallery,Recycled Materials | 1 Comment

• Tweet ^[1]
• Share on Tumblr ^[2]
• Email ^[3]

 

^{[4]  [5]}

At the mere mention of the word Tetris ^[6], the game's catchy electro song ^[7] begins blaring in our heads. Artist Michael Johansson’s ^[8] precisely stacked sculptures made from ordinary objects induce the same internal Nintendo soundtrack. Using found objects like old computer screens, keyboards, cars and suitcases ^[9], the Swedish designer creates incredible geometric sculptures - both inside the gallery and jammed into site-specific spaces.

  ^[5]

Michael Johansson’s ^[8]’s stacked creations can be found taking refuge in the unnoticed empty spaces scattered throughout dense urban sprawl. Whether the works are packed between two buildings ^[10] or piled into abandoned closets, archways, door jambs or windows, the artist carefully organizes disused objects to fill out the spaces perfectly. No slot goes unfilled, so the completed works form a perfectly harmonious patchwork of old boxes, electronics, dressers, trunks and office supplies. Using Tetris-like moves, he flips each pieces and moves them around until they fit perfectly.

The colorful, pristine installations defy entropy and clutter by making a place for everything (and setting everything in its place). By grouping the cast=off items together, Johansson creates an accidental narrative that ties the pieces together in a fantastical story.

In the gallery, Johansson’s Tetris-like sculptures ^[11] are independent of supporting spaces, but just as impressive. Cubes of suitcases fit together like pieces of a Rubix Cube, forming mono-colored sculptures. Johansson translates and adapts his work from street to gallery, giving disused objects a highly organized new life.

+ Michael Johansson ^[8]

Via PSFK ^[12]

Article printed from Inhabitat – Sustainable Design Innovation, Eco Architecture, Green Building: http://inhabitat.com

URL to article: http://inhabitat.com/michael-johanssons-precisely-stacked-sculptures-give-found-objects-the-tetris-treatment/

URLs in this post:

[1] Tweet: http://twitter.com/share

[2] Share on Tumblr: http://www.tumblr.com/share

[3] Email: mailto:?subject=http://inhabitat.com/michael-johanssons-precisely-stacked-sculptures-give-found-objects-the-tetris-treatment/

[4]

[5]  : http://inhabitat.com/michael-johanssons-precisely-stacked-sculptures-give-found-objects-the-tetris-treatment/michael-johansson-tetris2/?extend=1

[6] Tetris: http://inhabitat.com/tetris-shaped-trash-filled-street-furniture-encourages-recycling-in-argentina/

[7] catchy electro song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmCCQxVBfyM

[8] Michael Johansson’s: http://www.michaeljohansson.com/works.html

[9] suitcases: http://inhabitat.com/recycled-suitcase-chair-lets-you-travel-without-leaving-home/

[10] packed between two buildings: http://inhabitat.com/keret-house-warsaws-narrowest-home-will-be-set-within-this-tiny-alley/

[11] Tetris-like sculptures: http://inhabitat.com/more-tetris-shelves/

[12] PSFK: http://www.psfk.com/2013/01/tetris-city-objects.html

Click here to print.