# Credit Crunch Architecture Giant Houses Made of Cards, An Artistic Economic Metaphor By Tinkalicious | Published 2008-12-17 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/economic-woes-real-houses-of-cards References: [weburbanist](http://weburbanist.com/2008/12/16/12-precarious-works-of-playing-card-art-and-sculpture/) In these global economically trying times, the situation could metaphorically described as a House of Cards. It is hard to imagine the steady hand and patience some of these creations would required, but they are certainly stunning. In order of photos shown: 1) Lewis Zaumeyer’s “Literal House of Cards” at Burning Man. 2) Collage of playing cards by Lisa Curtis. 3) A floating alligator made of cards in Shangai. 4) “House of Cards” from a 2006 Leeds Metropolitan University Fine Art Degree Show. The masterful [card structures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fragmenti) in photos five through seven come by way of Guinness World Record Holder, Brian Berg. He truly is the undisputed champion of all card building! ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.7/10 - Popularity: 19% | Activity: 83% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Modern](https://www.trendhunter.com/modern) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Creative Economic Metaphors:** There is potential for artists to explore creative economic metaphors in their work, following the trend of Credit Crunch Architecture. - **Structural Art Installations:** There is an opportunity for architects and artists to create large-scale, structurally innovative art installations using unconventional materials. - **Artistic Sustainability:** There is a trend towards creating art that promotes sustainability and waste reduction, as seen in the use of playing cards as a building material in Credit Crunch Architecture. ### Who This Affects Most - **Art:** Artists can use unconventional materials and economic metaphors to create innovative works that resonate with audiences. - **Architecture:** Architects can explore unconventional building techniques and materials to create structurally innovative buildings and installations. - **Environmental Sustainability:** There is potential for the promotion of environmental sustainability through the use of recycled and repurposed materials in art and architecture. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Paper-Made Mosaic Artwork](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/real-life-architecture-exhibition.md) - [Cardboard-Inspired Ceramic Household Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cardboard-collection.md) - [Warped Georgian Townhouse Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/a-week-at-the-knees.md) - [Abstract Fantasy Home Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/abstract-fantasy-home.md) - [Modernist Gingerbread Houses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gingerbread-dreamhouse.md) - [Protest Sand Architecture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bland-castles.md) - [Meticulous Paper-Stacked Chairs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paragraphic-in-four-stacks.md) - [Towering Wooden Block Sets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/capsule-tower.md) - [Optical Illusion Replica Artworks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/liberty-science-center.md)