Daily Dose Blogger Bios
Lions and Soldiers in Pairs, Oh My!
It is NEVER my intention to be mean - but I am a landscape designer, and part of my job is to help steer people clear of potential mistakes in their gardens. I strongly believe that statuary is one of those mistakes. Now, I want to be clear ... I am an art lover. If you have a Richard Serra torqued ellipse, or a mini Smithson spiral jetty, or a Jeff Koons topiary puppy, by all means - put it in your garden! (of course I know these things are hard to come by, but I'm trying to make a point) However, if you have the slightest thought of putting a plaster roman warrior or a big king of the beasts in your garden, RESIST! This garden suffers from a kind of plaster horror vacui, as well as a general lack of living plant material. I believe that your well chosen plants are the best sculpture, and if you must add something else, let it be something very meaningful to you; a trellis made by a local iron worker, a mosaic fountain that reminds you of your vacation to Morocco, a chandelier from your great aunt - anything specific to you and the way you see the world. The only way I can imagine this kind of old fashioned statuary working in a garden is if you were doing a play on a cemetary, like a gothic novel sort of thing... wait, that's actually kind of a cool idea. A moody, southern gothic garden with a cemetery vibe... hhhmmmm... I like it....
Ivy! You and my friend Mel are the only two people I've ever heard refer to horror vacui. Did you see my old post about it--I suffer from it. I swearsy.
http://www.dominomag.com/daily/blogs/scrappy/2006/08/horror_vacui_on.html
I remember that post! And you are not the only one who suffers from it, my dear - my collegues often have to pull me back from the edge of what they call "cram-nation", when I get so plant crazy that I can't stop stuffing a new garden full of my favorites. Not good! I'm learning the value of negative space - it's like a palate cleanser for the eyes. But it's hard to get used to, especially in interiors, where my taste runs toward salon-style installations - walls full of paintings and drawings and photographs, all different sizes, hung close together. I love that!
I think I caught it from my boss. His old living room:
[URL=http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m143/nickolseno/milesoldlivingroom.jpg][IMG]http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m143/nickolseno/th_milesoldlivingroom.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
Ah, we'll try the link:
http://www.milesredd.com/portfolio2.shtml
And have you heard of www.designtoscano.com ? Ahhhh!!!!
Nick ! Whoa ! That is some STYLIN' going on ... and yes, I'd say horror vacui is in evidence. That's not necessarily a bad thing, right! I LOVE Tony Duquette, for example, and if he didn't have it, then I don't know who did. When is comes to interiors, I accept it more in the public living areas than in bedrooms. That one bedroom with the fourposter canopy bed and the wild swirly leaf wallpaper would give me indigestion ... and subsequent nightmares. But it sure is bold, and I'm all for that!
Okay, I have to do an entire post on Design Toscano. That is just to much collective wack to pass up - thanks for the heads up, friend!
Thanks for the shout out!
We here at Toscano love your blog. I must say the chaps at Toscano look for, design and create one of a kind artwork! I am proud of Toscanos unique collection of garden art. I truly feel it has something for everyone.
Toscano takes great pains in designing and sculpting every piece with great detail and quality materials (designer resin and hand painting). I should know because I am one of their staff sculptors. I specialize in dragons and mystic art. Check me out!
http://www.designtoscano.com/product/dragon+and+gargoyle/gargoyle
+garden+statues/gaston%2C+the+gothic+climber+sculpture+-+medium+-
+ng832115.do
Also this is our hit of the garden season 08. We call it Meerkat mainia
http://www.designtoscano.com/product/code/DB32136.do
Love your Blog!
Cheers!
Liam Manchester