To get to my car after work, there are four ways out of the building where I work that are six of one, half dozen of the other. I usually take the conservatory route for the glimpse of the plants there. But I think I’ll be taking the west exit more often now so I can see the new gate installed today at the west entrance to Minn’s garden:
To appreciate this gate, you’ve got to move in close (more detail shots below):
The gate was designed by Landscape Architecture student Hannah Carlson, and created by artist/blacksmith Durand Van Doren. (See also his Ithaca Art Trail site.) Here’s Durand all spiffed up for today’s dedication.
I barely recognized him from the day I spent with him with my buddies Scott and Marc two years ago, where I learned quickly just how easy an artist like Durand makes it look. (I did manage to make some S-hooks to hang pots.) I borrowed this image from Marc’s website. Go check out his bowls. They make great gifts.
The gate features a dozen garden plants rendered in iron. (Click on images for larger views.) They are actually much blacker than they appear here. I adjusted the images to provide more detail.
What really makes these great is the inclusion of the roots below ground level.
And a few more close-ups:
