Art Acquisition Brief

Plasticus Thalamus, 2024

Cody Norman

Made from more than 125 lbs of locally sourced post-consumer HDPE plastic from Ford House + the Grosse Pointe communities, extruded over stainless steel, Plasticus Thalamus is inspired by the arbors and arches found in many traditional English and French gardens, Cody Norman’s archway is inspired by the arch at the gate house that welcomes you to Ford House. Instead of vines and other organic plant-life, this arbor is encrusted in recycled plastic hand extruded to resemble coral, blurring the line between synthetic and natural.

We are pleased to work with Norman and Ford House to bring this unique sculpture to life, fostering dialogue between contemporary craft and the estate gardens and architecture of this National Historic Landmark.

We are also pleased to offer the opportunity to acquire this unique sculpture.

Cody Norman created Plasticus Thalamus as the culmination of his artist residency at Ford House. Throughout the summer of 2024, Norman spent time exploring the grounds and archives of the historical estate built by Edsel and Eleanor Ford in 1928. Norman also worked with Ford House staff to gather the plastic waste that results from normal daily operations across the historic estate as well as the surrounding community.

Plasticus Thalamus is a unique example of Norman’s practice transforming discarded plastic ‘trash’ into elevated art objects that remind us of our responsibility to the environment. Being formed from community-sourced post-consumer plastics, each sculpture traces the unique, local supply chain, therefore, including every donor/user of the plastic as an active part of the artwork. And, by extension, so is the collector.

Norman is the artist and designer, you are the agent of change working towards a more sustainable future.