... which wasn't easy. The piece is cast bronze, measures about 44 inches high and 36 inches across at the base, and must weigh in excess of 300 pounds). When I first saw it, a classical image of a beehive came to mind, thus the appropriateness to a naturalistic, pseudo-ecological garden, to use William Martin's (click 'Wigandia' if you don't know him) phrase, as adopted from someone (he thinks) in the UK. But the more I look at it in the garden, the less I think of a beehive. It's really quite abstract. Consider Marc's original name for it, 'Pay Dirt'.
Doesn't really look like this one, does it?
No. Abstract is better. Let it be suggestive of something else if you wish, or see it on its own terms.
It appears and vanishes as you walk around the garden. From some points of view, very prominent, from others, almost invisible.
All these photos were made in the bright light of morning, on a very hot July 5. Below it takes on a dark solidity in contrast to the brightly backlit Filipendula rubra 'Venusta', Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah', and Calamagrostis acutiflora 'Karl Foerster'.
Or viewed from the other side, through Molinia caerulea 'Transparent'.
It appears to take on a blueish cast seen with the glaucous foliage of Rudbeckia maxima.
Or maybe R2D2 hiding in the bushes?
It's totally invisible from the path on the western side of the garden.
Even when it's not visible, the pictures provide useful context for an object that isn't garden, in the garden.
In hiding...
Completing the circle of the garden path, approaching the starting point, where it's only a few feet from the path... I have to say I feel this piece was made for this garden. Ironic, because Marc cast it 20 years ago, when this garden was a rough cedar wood.
And the rest is context.
James,
ReplyDeleteLove the sculpture! It feels exactly right in your garden which doesn't seem to be suffering from the drought. We have been in the high 80's for nearly a week with no end in sight. Very hot for NH in early July. You should be very pleased with the path. I am going to Montana for vacation next week and afraid to leave during this hot dry weather. It is always difficult to be sure the public gardens are taken care of during a drought. I try to spot water, as you mentioned, which requires quite a bit of plant knowledge. Take care.
Great photos, maybe I'll be able to get a sculpture of some sort for my home some day. Very nice.
ReplyDeleteMichael,
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you approve. My garden IS suffering from the heat. We haven't had rain in six weeks and it was in the high 90s yesterday and today. I heard 101 F is predicted for tomorrow, and extremely hot weather for the rest of the week. The plants suffering the most are, of course, the last to be planted. I have such a large area to cover, I resorted to sprinklers this weekend, but I know that won't really be much help. I'm steeling myself for what I'll find when I see the garden next weekend, hoping for the best, and hoping for rain, even a passing shower. Enjoy Montana. I wish Peterborough's gardens safe-keeping while you're away.
Jeff,
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by. Frankly, I never thought I'd be able to have a sculpture in the garden. I'm just lucky to know Marc and Gail, and to be a beneficiary of their good will and kindness.
As you said, interpret it as you will...so instead of a bee keep I thought giant seed pod. It's a fantastic addition to your already spectacular garden.
ReplyDeleteIt seems sort of like a piece of architectural salvage/alien vehicle mix, and quite appropriate for your beautiful space.
ReplyDeleteFrances
Susan,
ReplyDeleteI like that analogy! Especially since I like the seedpods probably more than the flowers.
very nice. it reminds me of the philippe starck juicer -- http://store.exit-art.com/noname.html. do you think that you can squeeze a bathch of limes for gin & tonics? seriously, it is quite calming.
ReplyDeleteJames,
ReplyDeleteI would love a post at the end of the season regarding which plants handled the drought best. I have been listening to the Beth Chatto podcasts and they reminded me ask about the right plants in the right place in your garden.
Yahoo! You've done well, James Golden! The dark weight and sharp lines of the new piece amplify the glowing, lush wild around it. It's perfect. There's one problem though...you might need another one somewhere else to ground it a bit, yes? Heh heh. Just kidding. The stone walls and the red totems are probably enough of a compliment.
ReplyDeleteThis photo set is particularly fine as well! Bless that incredible morning light. And bless the growing, sublime pleasures of the FT garden.
I like it,though it does put me in mind of the sand worms in Frank Herbert's "Dune" series.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Frances. Definitely architectural, maybe alien, unless you think of it as a seed pod. I have lots of seed box coming up this year. A seed pod of a different sort.
ReplyDeleteDave,
ReplyDeleteThe eye of the beholder. But this predates Philippe Starck by a long time.
Aw shucks, Peter, you embarrass me with your praise. (He moves his foot awkwardly, making a curving shape in the dust.) I, of course, walk around and see glaring flaws--except in moments of vision of what it can be. Still have your suggested projects cogitating in my head, and elaborations/simplifications I want to discuss with you (in an email). Thanks much.
ReplyDeleteMichael,
ReplyDeleteI'll do that. I'm awfully curious myself as to what's going to survive this waterless oven blast.
Mr. Tynes,
ReplyDeleteI think the atmosphere of Seattle must have awakened your dreamy subconscious. You'll get over the culture shock.
Love it!
ReplyDeleteDeborah,
ReplyDeleteGlad you do. Thanks for visiting.
James, it reminds me very much of a monarch butterfly egg, so its meaning to me is large. It looks wonderful--nothing like sculpture in the garden, real art, to challenge, invigorate, and create metaphor of the experiential meaning for each visitor... and for you guys.
ReplyDeleteBenjamin,
ReplyDeleteI'm reminded of a line from Wallace Stevens: 'I placed a jar in Tenessee and round it was upon the hill,it made the slovenly wilderness surround that hill.' Not that my garden is a slovenly wilderness, or on a hill, but you get the point.
Having known Marc's work for some time now it really looks good in a natural setting. I bet in winter, aganist the stark landscape it will really shine and give a totally different feeling to the beautiful gardens you have.
ReplyDeleteI agree. It looks great--that large solid mass, with the ridged surface (quite like a seed pod) in contrast with the delicate, naturalistic grasses and perennials, stillness and movement. I'm looking forward to seeing it in winter. That's when I'll best be able to tell what kind of surface it wants to rest on, especially in late winter/early spring, when the plants are all cut or burned, and that shape stands largely alone on the wide, empty land.
ReplyDeleteHow intriguing!
ReplyDeleteNot at all like a beehive.
Like a rocket coming up through the soil.
Sinister almost.
I like that you see and don't see.
And that scale is appropriate.
Winter photos will be interesting!
Best
R
It's a very handsome piece James. It reminds me of something about to open...
ReplyDeleteRobert,
ReplyDeleteYes, it's suggestive of all sorts of things, not all comforting. How about a nuclear device? An image appropriate to the fears of our time, no? I'd like a sea of Hemerocallis 'Pardon Me' or something similar around it. An idea.
Faisal,
ReplyDeleteI like "something about to open." Your suggestion is rather open-ended. Could be a giant seed pod. Perhaps an alien seed case? Or a speck of pollen drifted down from some giant heaven?
At 300 pounds, I guess you don't try it in various spots around the garden to see how it looks with this plant or that, morning light or setting sun or little to the left, no that's too far. It reminds me of some exquisite seed or pod.
ReplyDeleteAt least not until I can buy my personal Bobcat! Wish I could, but I think that's not in my budget.
ReplyDeleteIts a grand design but a wee bit wee for my liking..I would want a scattering of them in various sizes!
ReplyDeleteDing_Bat
Ding Bat,
ReplyDeleteI like your idea. Can you provide a grant of about $40,000US? Make the check payable to me. Thanks.
No worries mate!
ReplyDeleteI have never been able to afford the luxury of buying sculpture (and general garden materials) and make do with my own creations...Sometimes other artists kindly give me pieces inspired by me or my work..this I rather prefer i think. As an artist friend said to me recently 'most art is created for other artists to appreciate' (Jon Dixon)
ReplyDeleteCheers
Biggles. (Australia)
The term 'psuedo ecological' was coined by Hugh Johnson as 'Tradescant' in the RHS journal.He had this to say about other matters...In 2005 Johnson stated, "Imperial hegemony lives in Washington and the dictator of taste in Baltimore. !!!!
ReplyDeleteBest Banana's
Martin
I like "pseudo ecological." Was it intended as a positive or a negative term?
ReplyDeleteIf I recall it may have been that often typical English gentleman's use of the 'bowie' knife....
ReplyDeleteI'd like to adopt the term, but its Greek root means false, and "false" isn't my intention at all. I want plants suited to existing conditions, growing in a self-sustaining (if such a thing exists; it doesn't; think climate change, for example) or slowly evolving community or group of communities--a "new" ecology, if you will, showing one possible direction as we move into the future in a disrupted environment. So I suppose I'll just adopt your term, or Hugh Johnson's term, and flip it on its head to mean not "false" but "showing new possibilities."
ReplyDeleteJames, Well before i created gardens of my own (2) I was a jobbing gardener for a few of the old pastoral estate garden owners (we are talking wealth) Most had chunks neglected or abandoned and the original 'planned' control was allowed to go its own way.(I also allowed my previous garden to do its own thing for about 3 years)This decay (of control) was the most important 'lesson' in my gardening history and taught me in many ways how to plant...with gay abandon.
ReplyDeleteWe ARE the new ecology.
ReplyDeleteI agree, we are. We've already made too many changes to turn back. Yes, I also plant "with gay abandon." But I'm careful about what I plant.
ReplyDelete