Caged Bird

Nex

Year: 2021

Piece No. 04 of this design.

Total Size: 7.5 x 16.4 x 0.7 cm.

Weight: 45.4 grams.

Solid woods of 1 and 2 mm thickness, made of ramin and mansonia (African walnut).

Side finishes with chalk paint, as well as all the laser engraving on the mansonia surface.

It dawned in Osito and Old Cricket's house.

Old Cricket goes to work. He's a traveler. He leaves home with the tranquility of having the house in order...

...with Osito taking care of the cat and the bird.

But Osito, watching Old Cricket's departure, has other plans.

Perhaps there are too many rules in that house, vices cultivated in dark rooms, or maybe it's just the soul of sweet Osito, darker than his plush fur suggests.

Now Osito feels free to indulge in what he likes best.

By nightfall, it's better to ignore the cruelties that have occurred. Were they necessary? Osito's base passions would tell you they were indispensable...

...but the bird probably doesn't think the same.

And after a culinary delight, Osito is glowing with happiness, indulging in everything he likes.

Old Cricket comes home, tired. A hard day, not a single customer. Home, sweet home.

Osito is waiting for him, sipping a coffee, cultivating his intellect, taking care of everything that makes all the effort worthwhile.

And the cat... What's it doing in the cage? Where's the bird? That makes it three this month! The cat better get ready...

Since my early childhood in Germany, I've been accompanied by a book that, now I know, greatly influenced my mental frameworks: Max and Moritz. There are seven stories, each more mischievous and cruel, in the style of the German classic Struwwelpeter. They had a profound impact on me. Every time I reread its illustrations (I didn't understand the text), I was terrified, yet I couldn't abandon it: I was captivated.

This little prank by Osito (The Little Bear) is nothing compared to it, but it carries its spirit, much like the other story I have illustrated on the cover of this website (Osito and the Magic Trick).

Of course, nowadays, teaching these things to children is considered an educational sin... a sign of the times.

"The cat better get ready!" because he'll be blamed for the disappearance of the bird.
A little mischief by Osito (The Little Bear), taking advantage while Old Cricket went out to work.
I love the sound it makes.

This is a small-sized artwork crafted from the finest solid woods. Woods cut with laser light and carefully glued together. The engravings on the ramin wood surfaces have been left with the natural laser finish, but those on the walnut have been filled with white chalk paint, highlighting the drawing that emulates the night.

There are four pieces like this made in the year 2021.

This piece is only sold on demand. For any inquiries or doubts, please contact the author.