IMA Art and Nature Garden
There is an impressive complex at Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA). The museum was closed for the holiday (people have the day off then and might want to visit but clearly the demands of the staff take precedence). We went to visit the formal gardens of Lilly House, a 1930s French chateau inspired mansion. The 26 acres of formal gardens are well designed and maintained. Quite by accident we saw signs for the Art and Nature Garden, 100 acres of forest/garden with both permanent and temporary art installations. Crossing a canal meant that we entered a wholly different world from the formal gardens. The forest seems untouched. Some of the ‘sculpture’ such as the bright yellow seating and the curious Tunnel of Lament did not work for me. I pronounced that I did not come to a garden to lament and was about to carry on in this negative vein when I saw two metal rings suspended above a clearing in the woods. This is a good example of waiting, and allowing the effect of an installation to sink in. The shadow on the grass has an almost mysterious quality. The installation is the result of a collaboration between IMA staff and a New York-based artist collective, Type A.
The highlight is the Ruth Lilly Visitor Center, a beautiful example of modern architecture. The ‘splits’ in the slatted ceilings allow views to the trees and sky above. In scale, material, siting and technical execution, this is a very delightful building.
The highlight is the Ruth Lilly Visitor Center, a beautiful example of modern architecture. The ‘splits’ in the slatted ceilings allow views to the trees and sky above. In scale, material, siting and technical execution, this is a very delightful building.
IMA Garden Indianapolis
The window to the right should have a slide show. if not, click here to link to the Picasa Web Album.
The fine print
The website for the garden is : http://www.imamuseum.org/100acres
For more information on Align (shown above) : http://www.imamuseum.org/100acres/artists/typea
For more information on Align (shown above) : http://www.imamuseum.org/100acres/artists/typea
