Bik Van der Pol | A House With Hundreds Of Butterflies.

Warning. Warning. Mop and bucket to poor seats of all architecture nerds!

If looking at these images leaves you somewhat confused, don’t worry – you are not alone. Inspired by Mies van der Rohe’s highly acclaimed Farnsworth House, this installation by Bik Van der Pol – a house with hundreds of butterflies – was chosen to inaugurate the new wing of the MACRO museum in Rome.

Conceived as a project which brings awareness to the current environmental issues, a house with hundreds of butterflies addresses the issues of increasing urbanization and climate change. The scientist consider butterflies as ‘indicator species’ due to their particular sensitivity toward environmental degradation. Recent decline of butterflies serves as an ‘early warning’ of current environmental conditions.

So what has Farnsworth House got to do with all this? It kind of actually does, in an arty-tangent-sorta way… Built in 1951, Farnsworth House emphasized the tight relationship between man and nature. “We should attempt to bring nature, houses, and the human being to a higher unity”, said Mies. This house is considered to be one of the most radically minimalist houses ever designed, with glass walls and open interior space which create a sense of intense connection with the outside (otherwise known as major architecture wank-phrase “Bringing the outside in”. Seriously – everyone stop saying that! *Spew!*)

This exhibition is on until 13th February. When in Rome…

[Images via SpaceInvading via designws.com]