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The How to Create a School Sculpture Garden Manual
3. SCULPTURE GARDENS IN CONTEXT: ENRICHING THE LIFE OF A COMMUNITY AND SCHOOLS
This overview sets the stage for the BIG PICTURE of the importance of sculpture gardens from the past to the present and can further ideas and activities for enriched classroom study.
Vitality and innovation have been the hallmarks of the School Sculpture Garden Project from its inception. This pioneering project sets high artistic and academic standards for the students involved, while building on a trend in the United States and around the world in what can be increasingly seen as an emerging art form---sculpture parks and gardens. This project is connected to a larger contemporary art movement that has implications for the social life of a school community as well as for its artistic significance.
Consider the following:
- In 1987, when the International Sculpture Center published the first Directory of Sculpture Parks and Gardens, only 97 entries were noted.
- In 1996, the second edition of the directory had expanded to 195 entries, from 33 states and 28 foreign countries representing five continents.
- In 2003, more than 300 entries are included on the online Directory of Sculpture Parks and Gardens
Brief Historical Overview
Sculpture gardens have existed in civilizations for centuries. The idea of integrating sculpture into outdoor settings is characteristic of many cultures, reflecting their different aesthetics, mores, and traditions. Initially they were created to achieve religious and symbolic goals, as well as for ornamental purposes.
Let's take a look at a few examples:
- Since the 15th century, in Kyoto, Japan, the Zen Ryoan-ji temple garden has been considered a sacred place for worship and contemplation. The placement of asymmetrically placed rocks surrounded by raked gravel continues to inspire awe and reverence (see Resources).
- In the early 1500's, Pope Julius created a courtyard opening onto the Vatican gardens where he displayed the papal collection of ancient statues.
- During the 16th century, prominent Romans placed decorative statues in their gardens. Initially it was to display the antiquities, but as the years elapsed the statues were associated with allegorical messages understood within their contemporary culture. Often they were about the power, wisdom, or culture of the patron. The Roman audiences understood the symbolic meanings of the different statue types (which included deities and personifications of natural elements). Thus the garden statuary functioned as a system of communication. Down through the ages, outdoor sculpture has been featured prominently in public settings, for example, in the form of monuments to commemorate famous people and events, and on tombs in cemeteries.
What's Different About Today's Proliferation of Sculpture Gardens?
Contemporary sculpture parks and gardens are characterized by their diversity, yet most share two common goals:
- to provide access to the public in an outdoor setting.
- to invite visitors to appreciate, interact with, and contemplate the art work.
Sidney Lawrence and George Foy, authors of Music in Stone: Great Sculpture Gardens of the World have divided Today's parks and gardens into four broad categories by (Scala Books, 1984)
- Open-Air Collections," such as Grounds For Sculpture in Hamilton, New Jersey; Storm King Art Center in Mountainville, New York ; Fattoria di Celle in Pistoia, Italy; and educational institutions such as the Boone Sculpture Garden at Pasadena City College in Pasadena, California and the Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
- Museums Gardens," such as the Hirshhorn Museum Sculpture Garden in Washington DC and the Kroller-Muller Museum in Otterlo, Netherlands.
- Aristocratic Gardens," such as the Palace of Versailles in France and Schwetzingen Palace in Schwetzingen, Germany.
- Ancient Sculpture Sites," such as Easter Island in the South Pacific and Stonehenge in England.
The Importance of a School Sculpture Garden Project
As noted, the School Sculpture Garden Project builds on a trend that reflects an expanded interest nationally and globally in sculpture parks and gardens. But it has the promise to do so much more. As this garden engages a new generation of students, faculty, parents and members of the school community and municipality, it will inspire them to become tomorrow's artists, patrons, and arts audiences. These will be people who will likely have a deep appreciation for sculpture gardens that spotlight nature's drama in places of appreciation, contemplation, learning, and interaction with art. As students and members of the school community engage in the creation of their school sculpture garden projects, it is hoped that the insights and skills gained by participation in this special art project will have a lasting impact on their lives and world-views. We hope it will strengthen their appreciation for how art in an outdoor public setting can be designed to inspire the human spirit.
"I am certain that
after the dust of centuries has passed over our cities, we too will be remembered
not for victories or defeats in battle or politics, but for our contribution
to the human spirit."
- John F. Kennedy
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