New art takes shape on Newell Road

Curious people are already peering into artist Patrick Dougherty's new environmental sculpture on the Palo Alto Art Center grounds, and it's not scheduled to be finished for a week and a half. But it's hard to resist.

I mean, check this thing out. It's got whirls and windows of willow saplings in a surprising, subtle palette of colors. The artist and his crew are climbing ladders, scaling scaffolding and weaving their materials together. I dropped by today and took a few pics with the trusty smartphone.

Once it's finished, the "site-specific installation" is expected to look like a long fairytale-esque dwelling, up for kids and everyone else to explore for at least a year, if the creek don't rise.

Patrick Dougherty is also scheduled to give a free talk at the art center at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 27.




Pictured: Above right: A visitor peers into the sculpture. Above: Two members of the installation crew at work. Photos by Rebecca Wallace.