Photographer Creates Giant Wave Sculptures from Deadwood in Hamburg Forest

Photographer Jörg Gläscher has this incredible way of turning fallen branches and deadwood into massive wave-like sculptures. He collects wood straight from the forest floor and builds these huge natural formations that look like they’re rising out of the quiet woodlands in Hamburg. They blend in so perfectly with the landscape, it almost feels like nature itself shaped them.

Talking about what inspired the project, Gläscher said, “In autumn 2020, the fear of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic dominated daily life in Germany. Amidst widespread government restrictions and personal uncertainty, I was drawn to explore the raw power of nature—the unstoppable force capable of bringing one of the world’s wealthiest nations to a complete standstill.”

It’s more than just art—it’s a reminder of how powerful and unpredictable nature really is. His work sits somewhere between environmental art, sustainable design, and eco-friendly installation art, and it’s hard not to stop and think when you see it. For anyone into land art photography, forest-inspired decor, or even nature photography prints, Gläscher’s creations feel both calming and thought-provoking.

More info: Instagram | JörgGläscher

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Gläscher shared, “So I went into a forest near Hamburg, and from November 2020 to March 2021, I built all these waves myself—nine in total. I only used what we call deadwood; I didn’t cut down a single tree. The biggest one, Wave No. 8, was almost 4 meters high and 9 meters wide. After photographing each installation, I took it apart and reused the wood for the next one.”

What makes it so powerful is the way he stuck to sustainable art practices. No harm to living trees, just working with what the forest naturally left behind. It’s basically a mix of eco-friendly art, land art photography, and a little bit of environmental storytelling. The fact that he dismantled each piece after shooting shows how temporary yet meaningful these works are—like nature’s own cycle of growth, change, and renewal.

If you’re into sustainable design, eco-conscious home decor, or even just looking for nature photography prints that carry a story, Gläscher’s waves are a perfect example of art meeting environmental respect.

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Gläscher dug a little deeper into the meaning of his installations and shared something really powerful. He said, “A wave is a periodic oscillation or a unique disturbance in the state of a system. Observations are diverse, personal, and not always transferable—they can be experienced in many different ways. A perceived object can have an impact in countless forms. Is it standing still? Has it moved? Nothing is ever as it seems. Are appearances deceptive? Not necessarily. They carry me, wash over me, swirl within me, make me anxious, retreat, and then surge toward me again.”

He went on, “‘That can’t be,’ says the left side of my brain. ‘But I see and feel it,’ replies the right. I can walk through them, pause them, touch them—but then everything halts, stuck in place. I have to let go. And then, standing upright, the second wave crashes over me. It is unique—it was unique. I lift my head, embrace it, and recognize the vibration, the familiar sensation. With that, the fear begins to fade. If another wave comes, I’ll be ready.”

It’s more than just installation art—it’s about emotion, perception, and how we deal with uncertainty. His waves become a metaphor for life itself. They rise, crash, and pull back—just like our own fears, doubts, and even moments of clarity. This mix of contemporary art, nature-inspired design, and philosophical reflection makes Gläscher’s work stand out.

For people into modern art exhibitions, mindful living, or even therapeutic art experiences, his words hit hard. They remind us that art isn’t just something to look at—it’s something you feel, carry with you, and sometimes even heal through.