Mother's ugly heart - update

Mother's heart located in Kramatorsk, Ukraine was already described in previous blog post, including its material, placement and concerns. Several ideas were suggested on how this monument could be changed. But it was two years ago, and there is something new to be shared.

An interesting replacement might be a play area or a playground, made in a shape of anatomical human heart. It might be easer a cage made out of pipes applicable for climbing, with swings, sand and slides inside. Or a play area, also made out of pipes, covered with plastic nets, so the inside would be visible, but filled with climbing tubes, mini-games (such as tic-tac-toe), and some other fun activities.

Probably, the first idea is more appropriate for the suggested place, since it does not need much of care, as an opposite to the play area, that should be cleaned and covered from homeless people and animals.

But it is also harder to come up with a good visualization, since cage made out of pipes would be unsafe but really desired to climb on. Generally, kids need some lack of safety, to get their life lessons, and if it won't be provided on the playgrounds, where parents have some control over children's' actions - this fun unsafety would be found somewhere else and might end up even worse. But most of the people disagree with that and there are some requirements to create a playground.

It is possible to avoid this by making only vertical pipes in the beginning, and adding horizontal ones (or even a roof!) somewhere higher, so kids wont reach it. But then the heart shape and therefore the whole point might be lost.

Overall, the idea of making a playground seems to be much more interesting, useful and touchy then the original monument, since it involves real children. On the other hand, it definitely becomes more then a monument. Maybe an installation, or a performance. It will be understood more as an attraction place in the city, than as an art piece with some message besides. But maybe it will make the whole idea even better?

Also, as it was mentioned before - parent's heart is much more appropriate name. Plus, if the monument will have a function and a clear purpose for people, its name might change the position of fathers in the society, and make them think about what their hearts are actually filled with.