‘Light house’ was created during a 2 month long research residency supported by the FRAC Grand de Large and the British Council, in Dunkirk, France. Inspired by exploring the sand dunes, learning of the art colleges gardening scheme.

Charys wanted to experiment with creating a large 3D structure with the help of a few keen students, willing to learn some wood work construction skills.

Bringing elements of the outside in, Charys recreated the sand dunes within the structure of a green house. The green house frame was donated to the college in hopes that it could be recycled and re-used, the vision was for it to be repurposed outdoors to be used as a base structure of a greenhouse.

The idea of a light house was to reflect Dunkirk’s vicinity to the sea, acting as a beacon of life, as well as a warning signal of what may lie ahead.

Combining this with the structure of a greenhouse promoting self sufficiency and sustainability through the growth of our own local, seasonal produce.

The hope was to have this structure sit on the beach, illuminated at night, but due to weather and transportation constraints the structure remained in the art college and instead brought the sand dunes in, created using the shadows of recycled cardboard, wire and paper, layered in various ways to give a sense of depth.