Has he created the world around him to mirror himself? Or has he been swallowed up and molded by it?

Perhaps he has the best of both worlds and it is a comfortable blending of the two.

These are the thoughts in my head as I looked at this sculpture.  When I first saw it I only saw the orb.  It wasn't until I got closer that I realized there is a person inside.  The figures are composed of letters from nine alphabets.

Like all of the sculptures in the Jaime Plensa Human Landscape exhibit, it is thought provoking.  The simple beauty, and the way that they actually seem to be a part of the landscape is breathtaking.  

Outside the main entrance is a 23' tall sculpture called Laura with Bun.

 There is a similar Jaime Plensa sculpture on the grounds at the Frist Center for Visual Arts.  That one is named Isabella.  Laura is actually facing in the direction of Isabella.

The Soul of Words I and II are posed to imitate two people in conversation.

Thoughts is just that - thoughts and phrases swirling around.

Silent Music made me think about those who have music in their souls

He created this one in part because Nashville is Music City.  He wanted to honor the diversity of musical history in the city.  When the exhibition is over, this sculpture will stay at Cheekwood and become part of the permanent exhibit.

Awilda and Irma is an unusual stainless steel mesh created in a pond.  He wanted to underscore the relationship to the landscape by installing it in the pond, and also to bring water, light and air together.  There is an amazing amount of detail to these, and a few steps in any direction will bring a change of the facial features.

The Heart of Trees are seven bronze figures, with their limbs wrapped around trees and the names of composers from the 19th and 20th centuries.  They are quite striking.

These were my favorite part of the exhibit.  Well, maybe my second favorite part.  I really liked the Silent Music sculpture.  But these are awesome.

Near the reflecting pool is Rul Rul's World.  She is a marble figure, whose variations in the color of the marble add to the beauty of the statue.  From the side view, she appears to be solid white marble.  It't not until you get in front of her that you begin to see the color variations.

There were also some pieces inside the museum.  For some reason I found the inside pieces to be very haunting.  Uncomfortably so.  I couldn't get decent pictures inside as you couldn't use the flash on the camera.  As I neared the exit, I heard piano music.  It is the first time I've heard the grand piano being played.  And played beautifully.  He paused between each song to tell us what he was playing.

In addition to the sculptures and the music, I enjoyed the time walking around the botanical gardens.  It was a cool day, with the threat of rain, so it wasn't terribly crowded.  

As I walked, I was treated to the beauty of the gardens and the wonderful autumn show that nature brings us.

Goodbye until next time.

A Dew-Covered Bearded Iris

Linking up with Chrisy at Living a Good North Coast Life for Reconnecting with Nature, one photograph at a time.

During last weeks' staycation, one of the places we went to was Cheekwood Botanical Gardens.  It's a local place and we go there frequently.  They have some awesome exhibits.  Right now there's an exhibit of 'stickwork', which you can read about here.  Unfortunately we were too late to see all the tulips in bloom, but we have seen that before.  It's fabulous, and you can see that here.  

What we did see last week were some bearded iris' covered in dew.

The day was pretty overcast, so the drops stayed on the foliage and created picture perfect conditions!

So pretty and delicate.

Staycation - Day 3

Cheekwood!

Unfortunately we missed Cheekwood in Bloom, but it was still pretty.

They currently have a 'stickwork' exhibit by Patrick Dougherty entitled Little Bitty Pretty One.  It is amazing to think this is man-made.   It is a wood structure, built to fit into the landscape.  The saplings are interwoven intricately into these buildings.  And the buildings are connected.  There are no rough edges, except at the top.  It's amazing.

 As always, I remembered to look up and found this amazing sight.

There's a time-lapse video of the construction here.

And then there's the ponds and the waterfalls

The pottery outside the house

and the lights inside.  From the older wall-lights

to the more recent  fiber optic 'chandelier' hanging over the stairs, they're all beautiful.

We walked around outside to the trains

and the thatched roof house.

The roof is amazing.  It actually looks like straws.

And of course the treehouse.  I love the treehouse.

Even though it was overcast, there was no rain and we made it another great day!

Tulips are in bloom at Cheekwood!

According to the website, they have 55,000 tulips in bloom.  Every one of them is absolutely gorgeous.  Right outside of the registration building are gardens of yellow tulips.

 

Then you turn a corner, and there are yellows and reds, with yellow and purple pansies at their feet.

 Then there are the pastel tulips.  These were my favorites.

  

They are just everywhere - lining the garden paths, hidden under the trees.  So very pretty.

 

And they still have the trains!!  They are actually now a permanent part of the gardens.  They are the hands-down favorite of every little boy there.

And there's this little car - all by itself.  It's like a sightseeing car - that looks like a ladybug!

 But you know what, no matter where you plant your flowers - the grow wherever they want.  Even at the best-tended botanical gardens.