Is the garden a good place for art?
Art is associated with the gardens from the very beginning of their existence. Since ancient times the points catching the eyes were sculptures between the other elements. Currently, sculptures are usually placed in public places, sometimes as a collection in sculpture parks. However only few private individuals decide to individual elements in the garden. I don’t know exactly why. This is not just about the budget because sometimes a set of garden sofa and table can cost more than sculpture.
Chelsea Flower Show 2017 show garden fot. Kamila Tomasiewicz
It is true that the sculpture is usually not functional and you can’t sit on it (although this happens) but may be suitable accent of the garden making an individual character.
Maybe only few people decide on such element because the garden is just a piece of lawn, and a place for children to play and for other’s anguish mowing once a week. There are those for which taking care of the garden is relaxing after a hard day’s at work. Yet others can fully benefit from additional ?room under a cloud?, and in season from May to October, the garden becomes the additional space in which family and friends eat, play or work. There are also those for which the garden is a place to commune and the garden itself is an art. Those will know that every sophisticated garden needs a good composition, axis and accents.
garden sculptures in Europe
In the gardens history there were periods when the sculpture was less or not at all, but modern gardens are increasingly using large components of sculpting. It is great that more and more often it is not Venus from Milo copies or popular gnomes.
one of the corten elements on Chelsea Flower Show 2017 fot. Kamila Tomasiewicz
sculpture at Chelsea Flower Show 2017 fot. Kamila Tomasiewicz
Herd of Deer made by Simon Hempsell
Increasingly they are very interesting objects made of wood, stone or metal. Those metal ones are my favourite. My favorite artist of contemporary garden sculptures is David Harber. His sculptures are in many places all over the world. From private residence in Istanbul, airport in Jeddah to Hyde Park and private residence in London. He mostly use the stainless steel and corten. Repeating the shape sphere and torus both technically difficult to construct and polished until the surface is like mirror. These elements look great with green surrounding.
sculptures of David Harber at Chelsea Flower Show fot. Kamila Tomasiewicz
David Harber at Chelsea 2017 fot. Kamila Tomasiewicz
stainless steel is one of the most used materialv
Park of sculpture
Garden sculptures are not very popular in Poland, but there are exceptions. Recently, because in 2009 park of sculptures has been implemented in one of the Bródno park. You can admire there the guardian angel created by Roman Stańczak (currently in maintenance), grate sculpture of Monika Sosnowska, Paradise made of Pawel Althamera, sculptures of Olafur Eliasson, Katarzyna Przezwańska or Jens Haaning. Modern artists have elements of surprise in a naturalistic park, benefiting every day residents of nearby settlements.
In more private space in small town called Owczarnia near Warsaw Marek Keller founded the garden sculptures created by his long-time friend Juan Soriano. In the garden stands a collection of sculptures ordered among the others birds by this mexican sculptor. Under the old limes and surrounding the pond you can meet, mallard ducks, sparrows, woodpeckers, pipits and recently even the owl. These birds have got something from aztec designs look but at the same time, there are modern. Juan Soriano was a well-known mexican sculptor recognized in the world. He used to say that the sculpture have to be touch because sculpture without touching it is half sculpture.
However, most known in Europe sculpture park is Europos parkas founded in 1991 in Vilnius. Founded by the Lithuanian sculptor Gintaras Karosas. He had an idea to emphasize the special geographical significance of the European continent. At the moment on 55 ha park stands more than 90 sculptors.Among the others Magdalena Abakanowicz, Sol LeWitta or Dennis Oppenheima (intriguing „chair pool„).
private gardens
fairy tales sculptures by Robin Wight
fantasy sculptures by Robin Wight
If sculptures are placed in public spaces, why not invite them to our own garden? It will certainly something what will meet various aesthetic requirements can be found on the market. You can choose between magic sculptures of Robin Wight which will create surprising fairy tale climate.
There are outdoor sculptures which in addition to the form, shape, color, introduce to the garden also movement. Kinetic sculptures are moved by the wind. They are the engineering pieces of art. These mesmerizing work creates for instance Anthony Howe.
or
Is it worth putting relatively expensive sculpture among plants ?
Definitely yes ! Because it makes the garden’s unique. They are ornamental even when plants are without leaves during the winter period. As a landscape architect I strongly recommend of positive standing out from popular / typical garden mass, which unfortunately I often see. The kitsch environment often is supported by supermarkets offering us „original sculpture factory” which are produced 1500 units per day. Sometimes it is even pretty. Sometimes we can use it especially experienced architect can decorate the garden with them to make it interesting.
The sculpture made to order or bought from the artist is another feature. Selected or designed at the same time when whole garden is designed can also be a good investment. Suited to the building architecture and garden may have a positive impact on the price of real estate.
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