A look that sticks

“THE earliest homes were made from sticks,” said Patrick Dougherty from atop a scissor lift high above Melrose and Laurel avenues. “Humans are genetically predisposed to hunt and gather.”

None more so than the 61-year-old environmental sculptor. Having created gargantuan woven nests, vessels and other structures around the world for the last 20 years, Dougherty completed his first L.A. commission Tuesday. He clad the Max Azria clothing store in rustic whorls made of six tons of moistened sticks from 10 varieties of willow.

Architects, landscapers and others have “stopped traffic to ask questions,” he said. The work will be up for two years and will be posted on his website, www.stickwork.net.

“Kids pick up sticks and arrange them all the time,” said Dougherty, who will create an installation at the Los Angeles County Arboretum in 2008. “Anyone can do it.”

-- David A. Keeps