Last May, I posted about a fabulous floral gate installed by blacksmith/metal artist Durand Van Doren in Minns Garden outside my office. Today, he finished up the job installing two more gates, one with an apple theme.
The arch echoes the living apple arches in the garden …
Close observers will notice seven famous apples among the branches. The first needs no introduction. Maybe you can guess the others?
There’s the apple for the teacher, complete with bookworm.
Sleeping Beauty’s poison apple …
Newton’s apple (which I wish Durand had suspended halfway to the ground) …
Johnny Appleseed’s apple with seeds exposed …
And for our downstate friends, The Big Apple.
Durand also worked in anatomically correct details of different life stages including flowers …
Watching Durand and his competent crew at work was a lot of fun. Durand cut away the transport frame …
The crew manuvered the arch into place …
Even the ground plate has artsy details.
There’s lots of bench space at Minns Garden. Stop by and enjoy the flowers, the trees and Durand’s gates.
Oh my. How exquisite! I’m jealous–I want both an apple arch, and all kinds of blacksmithing tools, after seeing these gorgeous gates.
Stunning. Period.
I left early yesterday for Roch going in the other direction so I missed it! I love those arches, and now this one, too. Can’t wait to see it up close.
Jackie took the words right out of my mouth: stunning!
Wow, that is awesome. Love the details.
Quite a talent. I, like all your visitors I’m sure, want one too.
I’ve always loved gates. The look, the opening and the going through and closing behind. So many wonderful details to take in. Just beautiful.
So excellent !!!
I just came across your website. I must say, I love the gate! But when I scrolled down and saw Durand Van Doren’s applied label…it just about took my breath away! So seldom do I see “Apple Gate”! What a woderful work of art. I hope one day to make it to your city to see it for myself!
Sincerely,
Avery Ann Applegate
What lovely sculpture! OK, a little side story. I attended a seminar quite a few years ago during which we each were asked to come up with something that would show us to be a unique historical character. I stuck an arrow through an apple and then fastened the apple to my head with the arrow inserted in a front to back direction. Everyone thought I was William Tell! Ah, not so! I was William Tell’s son.