Jan Tyrpekl, born in 1986, is an architect based in Prague. He studied at Art and Architecture university in Liberec, where he is currently completing his doctorate. During and after his studies, he completed several internships in Taiwan, the Canary Islands, Denmark, Finland and Norway ( for example Heening Larsen Archticts, Casagrande Laboratory, AmP Arquitectos). He has collaborated on various types of artworks and urban projects. He has participated in and organized some thirty workshops experimenting with typologies and the use of natural materials in contemporary architecture in many countries in Europe, America and Asia. He currently has his own studio and is involved in a wide range of projects of various scales in the Czech Republic and beyond. On the other hand, he conducts experiments under his own direction, focusing on construction primitive forms and low budgets.
Seesaw is designed as a large-scale interactive work of art. The giant swing, with its interesting design, aims to be both an art object in itself and a usable see-saw for visitors of all ages.
The final size of the structure will depend on the material available on-site and its properties, with the maximum length setting a record of 26 metres. The artwork will be placed on a grassy part of the forest, like a solitary figure, to highlight its monumental aspect.
The installation plays on the contrast of materials. On the one hand, roughly worked tree trunks will be used to form the base of the structure. On the other, contemporary fasteners, such as steel cables, will be used to reinforce the structure and support part of the load.
Finally, with a crucial concern for sustainability and efficiency, the vast majority of wood will come directly from local resources, and the trunks will be handcrafted, thus avoiding emissions from the production or importation of materials from elsewhere. The waste generated after the biennial event will therefore be minimal.