Perhaps you already know that I love yard art, tasteful to tacky, it all brings me pleasure. I should say that clean architectural lines, beautifully placed pots, limited color etc. to be an equally stimulating artistic statement. The Dramm presentation (I think it should have been titled, "It's one Dramm thing after another.") took place took place beneath the shade of an event tent(whew, it was a sunny and hot day!) Dramm's new line of brightly colored and well made irrigation tools were a delight to see but my attention wandered during the presentation to a chapel in the background.
The work by California mosaic artist Tina Amidon, is titled "Allegorical Reliquary-Mosaic Chapel Fountain" and is a visual delight through which to walk. I love symbolism and tried to figure out what was being said here.
I wonder if the round or rose window at the top of this end panel with it's space ship and moon is an intentional homage to the space window at the National Cathedral?
The inclusion of entire three dimensional objects like these tea pots in this large-scale mosaic fascinated me!
The rose window at the other end.
Here's a video of the artist explaining her work. It's interesting to hear her explanation after reading my own interpretation into her opus and also to see water pouring over one of the side walls. You can see the receptacle at the base of this wall. I wonder if it's still functional?
Not that this needs water. It's quite interesting just the way it is.
The chapel is for sale in case you were wondering. I didn't see a price but I bet that the friendly folks at Annie's would be more than happy to tell you. You may find yourself
Could you see this chapel in your garden? I think I have a place where it might work very well. How much do you suppose it would cost to ship a few tons of concrete nearly a thousand miles? Fear not, it may be heavy but not as heavy as one might think. From Ms. Amidon's website, we learn that it's "made of mosaic and stucco on polymer-fortified concrete, fiberglass mesh, and polystyrene foam armature. Hmmm.
Do you remember the UNCF slogan, "They're not looking for a hand out, just a hand?"
Are you a fan of mosaic work? Stepping stones, mosaic pots, or other objects?
Unfortunately, the paint is crackling off the red bottles taking away their original vibrancy.
What are your thoughts about this chapel? Does your garden need it? Do you think it might be interesting but only in someone else's garden or do you dislike it altogether?
How inspiring! I was reading an article on mosaic stepping stones but this takes it to a whole new level!
ReplyDeleteIt would be a fun project to undertake some year.
DeleteI loved the chapel with all its three-dimensional bits and pieces and I love your post about it. I bet you could make your own.
ReplyDeleteIn looking at the artist's site and seeing how she uses the polystyrene foam armature, it looks like it might just be doable!
DeleteI would love it in your garden.
ReplyDeleteCan you believe i didn't even notice it? Gawd I can be oblivious sometimes.
With all the plants there, it would be easy to miss the chapel! It was kind of in a corner.
DeleteI have room! Next trip to big box, need to price concrete board. There's a ten year's collection of ceramic junk in my shed to make at least a wall. Interesting that this is just planes of tessarae and the entire thing is not covered.
ReplyDeleteI had the same reaction and liked the look of the outside of the chapel with concrete only but I would be tempted to cover the entire inside surface.
DeleteThis reminds me a little bit of the Watts Towers, which I wrote about here: http://bannersbyricki.com/archives/799
ReplyDeleteThe towers were the result of one man's obsessive compulsion, and as such have great emotional impact, at least for me.
Wow Ricki! Thanks for the link! The Watts Towers are amazing, sad, inspiring all at once!
DeleteI'd definitely like this in someone else's garden but it's really cool.
ReplyDeleteIt would need the right setting with enough negative space around it to make it work in a space. If I ever had space enough to grow all the plants I'd like to grow an still have an area left over, this would be on my list!
DeleteI saw this in the background at Annie's, but I gotta say it didn't make anywhere near the impression on me that it did on you. Just imagine it with a glass roof: you could use it for a greenhouse, Peter!
ReplyDeleteOh Jane, you're absolutely correct!
DeleteI happen to love mosaic work. Ever since park guell in Barcelona I've wanted a giant mosaic lizard fountain!!
ReplyDeleteYou should make one Lois!
DeleteA very interesting piece. I agree with Loree, it would look great in your garden. I'm afraid it would be very out of place in mine
ReplyDeleteIt's size was impressive but also makes it too big for my space unless I cut down a tree and get rid of a bed or two.
DeleteMy favorite parts of this were where the mosaic pieces were arranged closely. I prefer that arrangement to the more strung out parts. Probably would prefer smaller pieces in my own yard but am always fascinated by unique pieces like this.
ReplyDeleteIt's kind of like visiting a huge estate garden in that you can be inspired by ideas and parts of the whole to apply to your own garden/mosaic making.
Deletelol, I KNEW the DixieCups would be featured performers upon reading the title of this post. I have your number.
ReplyDeleteI think this chapel has been at Annies for a couple of years , but I am always so distracted by the plants I have never taken the time to explore it in depth. I'm so glad you shared these photos--I'll spend some time in the chapel on my next visit.
It doesn't take long as I'm quite predictable.
DeleteGlad you liked the chapel. I went there to calm myself down from the excitement of all the plants that I couldn't fit in my suitcase. We'll definitely plan to drive to California next time we visit!
I like yard art, and I like mosaics and I like this chapel, but I don't see it fitting into my garden.
ReplyDeleteIt does take up lots of space that could be used for plants. Maybe if our garage burned down...
DeleteI'm a horrible person...I don't think I even noticed that structure...I was blinded by plants, I guess ;-)
ReplyDeleteWell, yes but that's one of the many reasons I like you.
DeleteWow. Almost like the Notre Dame! Honestly, I like that "cathedral". But That tea pot is so beautiful that I couldn't have stuck it on the wall. I feel sorry for the lovely pot!
ReplyDeleteThere were many pieces in the walls that I thought were too beautiful to meet such a fate. Oh well...
DeleteRaising hand to be included in the group that barely noticed the chapel--I went straight to the plant tables! Thanks for the link to the artist to check out, Peter.
ReplyDeleteThe excitement of the plants at Annie's was pretty overwhelming. I could have spent far longer there!
DeleteI'm getting more and more interested in garden art. I love this chapel and could easily see something like this in my garden (on a smaller scale.) I'm especially attracted to structures that allow the sunlight to travel through coloured glass. Thanks for the chapel tour :)
ReplyDeleteMy interest in garden art ebbs and flows but I always love sunlight traveling through colored glass! Thanks for joining me in the chapel! Maybe I should have posted this on a Sunday.
DeleteYour post is very creative, thought-provoking. I got a flash reading the part about the wall with water running down it and pictured a wall that would interact with rain, spinning stuff, pouring into pots and out spouts, waterfalls, etc. It could be combined with mosaics, and make a rainy day more interesting. I remember another garden tour with some really cool mosaics.
ReplyDeleteI like your idea of a kinetic piece moved by rain. It would be perfect for the pacific northwest! Placement by a window would be a good idea so that it could be appreciated from a dry vantage point.
DeleteThis was at Annie's when we all were there? Was it visible only to those who possess true faith? I am kicking myself in the tush for missing this. I do like mosaics, and this one is so fascinating - I love it!
ReplyDeleteYes it was there. I could see it from my seat near the back audience right hand side at the Dramm Presentation so went directly there after we heard the talk. I was a random mess checking out the plants though and instead of doing an orderly walk through the grid of aisles, I kept skipping from one plant to another that grabbed my interest. I'm so ready to move to California - If only I could afford it.
DeleteThe mosaic of coloured percelain is reminiscent of Antonio Gaudi
ReplyDelete's Park Guel. Its interesting and beautiful.
I'm a huge fan of Gaudi's work! What a nice comparison.
DeleteI saw it, but didn't pay that much attention. The grey concrete color was dreary compared to the plants and flowers dancing around in the breeze. You got some great photos--it looks better in your post than it did in person.
ReplyDelete"It's one Dramm thing after another." Hah! That's a good one!
Thanks. The pictures would have been much better without that bright shiny thing in the sky but it was a great day to be outside looking at plants!
DeleteSome of those pieces remind us of Gaudi's work!
ReplyDelete