Small Hand-built Structures
Maria Levitsky  Small Hand-built Structures wood
group of small structures
2003
wood
variable from 10-12 inches high

Like three-dimensional drawings these shapes evolved as I built them. The constraints were created by the materials and the means by which I built them. Miniature Lumber, a mitre box, glue and a very small saw.
Maria Levitsky  Small Hand-built Structures wood
Billboard Tower
2003
wood
14 inches high

Maria Levitsky  Small Hand-built Structures wood and string
Calvino Dwelling
2003
wood and string
7 inches high x 15 inches long

As I made this I was reminded of Italo Calvino's Invisible Cities, and some of the structures described in the book.
Maria Levitsky  Small Hand-built Structures wood, wire, light bulbs, adapter & plug.
Climbing Structure
2004
wood, wire, light bulbs, adapter & plug.
8 inches high x 12 inches long

This makes me wish to build it large enough so that adult children could climb on it and drink exotic beverages under the balcony lights.

Maria Levitsky  Small Hand-built Structures wood, screen mesh, matt board, electrical details.
Tower of Layers
2003
wood, screen mesh, matt board, electrical details.
5 feet high by 10x10 inches

a stairway to nowhere frustrates all attempts to gain access to the old children's room where a light bulb hangs from the ceiling and the crayon drawings are still visible on the wall. Topped by a screened-in moth penthouse that is only accessible by flying insects.
Maria Levitsky  Small Hand-built Structures
Detail inside Tower of Layers

Maria Levitsky  Small Hand-built Structures
Detail inside Tower of Layers
Maria Levitsky  Small Hand-built Structures tarpaper,wood, found micofilms, lighbulb, dimming mechanism
Schwartz Model
2007
tarpaper,wood, found micofilms, lighbulb, dimming mechanism
11x17x28 inches

the beloved building that was the LIRR power plant, is no longer. I made the model for the NYNYNY show at fluxfactory. The light inside glows and dims over the course of one minute.

Maria Levitsky  Small Hand-built Structures
Schwartz model view 2
Maria Levitsky  Small Hand-built Structures Mixed Media
Light up Tower
2002
Mixed Media
30x30x100 inches

This tower lights up and glows, then goes dark over the course of one minute. In this piece as in a few others, the light source comes from within. I relate this to my photography in the sense that these pieces emanate light, while the photographs collect the light that is already there.