Get to know the Queen City’s public art. Inspired by pollinators, this whimsical sculpture in east Charlotte invites play.
by Michael J. Solender | photographs by Justin Driscoll
Anyone admiring Nested Hive, the playful public art at Eastway Regional Recreation Center, is bound to wander into one of its colorful and quirky bowl-shaped structures. And if the visitor’s a kid, they’ll almost definitely climb over and through the oversized forms before resting on a bench inside.
Play was a must-have for Charlotte’s Arts & Science Council (ASC) when it commissioned Nested Hive.
“Great public art sparks curiosity and imagination,” said Todd Stewart, ASC’s vice president of public art, during the 2020 installation. And spark it does — especially in kids, who’ve been climbing on, crawling around and exploring the piece ever since.
Created by Houston-based design studio RE:site, Nested Hive is a sculptural playground inspired by pollinators like bees, hornets and wasps. The work appears like a giant hive that tumbled from the trees, cracked open and landed gently on its side.
Its conical chambers, built from curved ipe wood and painted steel arches, invite exploration. Soft floral hues — lavender, yellow and rose — give it a soothing vibe that blends naturally with the surrounding pollinator garden. Wildflowers, native grasses and shrubs sway just feet away, while butterflies, hummingbirds and bees flit nearby, just like the kids.
The sculpture rests on artificial turf and is illuminated from below at night, adding a magical feel. It has an organic sensibility, with flexible, parametric slats. The tactile materials and layered construction were designed to reflect the diversity of Mecklenburg County itself, each piece part of a greater whole.
An apt metaphor for community and collaboration. SP
