Nature and art collide in these whirling, animated stick sculptures

The work of North Carolina-based artist Patrick Dougherty proves our theory that the most interesting things are the ones that are hardest to classify. Whatever you want to label the sweeping structures he makes from sticks and saplings -- Environmental art? Sculpture? Architecture? -- they are definitely entrancing.

Springing from the earth in whirling animated forms, the sculptures inevitably break down and fall apart, becoming part of the landscape once again.

Amazing stuff.

Signed copies of Dougherty's book, Stickwork, are available via his website. 

(via It's Nice That) 

Photo credits (left to right):

1. Uff-Da Palace. Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska, MN, 2010. (Todd Mulvihill)

2. Around the Corner. University of Southern Indiana, New Harmony, IN, 2003. (Doyle Dean)

3. Running in Circles. TICKON Sculpture Park in Langeland, Denmark, 1996. (Hatten 18)

4. Toad Hall. Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, Santa Barbara, CA, 2005. (Nell Campbell)

5. Call of the Wild. Museum of Glass in Tacoma, WA, 2002. (Duncan Price)

6. Just for Looks. Max Azria Melrose Boutique in Los Angeles, CA, 2006. (David Calicchio)