Baby Land (2025)

Baby Land (2025) is an assemblage sculpture that Minami Matsumoto and I made for Modern Artifacts: Public Art for the People.

The Concept

Baby Land is meant as a Playground for all.

Under the net, giant mushroom sculptures provide shade, turning the playground into a mix of adventure and rest. Kids can climb up and down, wander between them, or sink into bean bags scattered around. 

Who made this sculpture (group of people, civilization, etc)? 

The Ludere (playful ones; latin for to play)

For what purpose, did they make this sculpture?

Daycare playground and Rejuvenation ceremony; between scavenging for food and upkeeping their village, the Ludere would sporadically commune at Baby Land. Childishness is sacred among the Ludere and must always be cultivated just like a crop. The layers of Lavender mesh soothes the people, inviting them to lounge on the soft organic pillows around each mushroom structure. The mushroom structures holding up Baby Land also receive rainwater and filter it so the water may be drinkable to the Ludere.

Also, Baby Land gives the children of the Ludere an important opportunity to contribute to their community. Through playing around the jungle on swings and the mycelium webbing, their kinetic energy transfers to generators providing heat and energy to every Ludere building. In this way, play powers homes. Play is essential, materially and emotionally. 

What is the legacy of this sculpture? 

To remind future generations of the importance of play and community. Baby Land is a forest of communal healing and joy.