Acclaimed "woven wood" artist Patrick Dougherty has installed a one-of-a-kind outdoor sculpture at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark. With more than 1000 hours of help from local volunteers--as well as the expert assistance of Five Rivers MetroParks personnel--Dougherty created a 191-foot-long tunnel that coils sinuously around Wegerzyn's North Plaza. Woven entirely of willow branches that were crowding the fishing lakes at Englewood MetroPark, the sculpture has windows, doors and openings that invite the visitor to peer into and out of its rustic interior.
Dubbed "Wiggle in Its Walk," our serpentine sculpture is quite distinctive from Dougherty's past creations, which are reminiscent of nests, lairs, vessels, and mythic shelters. He took full advantage of the North Plaza's central location, clear visibility from four directions, strong geometric presence, and proximity to the Children's Discovery Garden. The sculpture is expected to remain standing for approximately two years, after which the material will be transferred to Wegerzyn’s composting facility. The sculpture and its associated Branching Out programs will be used to narrow the widening gap between the “plugged-in generation” and the natural environments by encouraging children to explore and appreciate the natural world and to recognize the need to preserve it. The exhibit will also broaden Wegerzyn’s membership and visitor base through outreach and collaboration with other local organizations, by offering high-quality, compelling experiences with nature and art. |
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