Yesterday, my friend Rebecca and I visited the Atlanta Botanical Gardens to see the works of Niki de Saint Phalle. We took our little people with us, as many of these you can climb on. Her beautiful works are made of polyesther. Her many years of breathing the fumes while sculpting compromised her health and she died in 2002 at the age of 72. These sculptures are simply amazing.
I really fell in love with her Totems.
This sculpture is a camel vase and it was in the cactus room at the garden. It has plants growing out of its humps.
Here is another totem. The colors on these are brilliant.
This castle looked fun to climb through. But, it was fenced off so we refrained. I can just imagine the princess who lives in here.
This sign explains why she changed her medium. And below is one of the Skinnys.
I am now fascinated by this woman's works and want to read more.
7 comments:
Looks as if you and Rebecca had an art-filled day! Love the totems and the "skinnies."
Those sculptures go hand in hand with quilts, don't they? Love the whimsy and the colors. Sad though that the medium she loved killed her. I doubt that will happen with sewing; although I remember a hand embroiderer who went nuts taking out the previous day's work and redoing it.
I just had a message from Rebecca and it seems you were equally impressed with the exhibition. When I saw your photographs I was immediately put in mind of the fountains at the Pompidou Center in Paris ("the Beaubourg"). I was going to send you this link
http://perrin.olivier.free.fr/Paris/Quartier%20de%20Beaubourg/Fontaine%20Stravinski/slides/Fontaine%20Stravinski%20Sculptures%20Tinguely%20et%20Niki%20de%20St%20Phalle%20021.html
when up popped Niki St. Phalle's name! No wonder I was reminded of Paris! Was this exhibit on loan from the Pompidou?
I have seen her Stravinski Fountain in Paris and loved it. I didn't realize there was so much of her work in USA. I'd love to see that garden.
What an interesting exhibit--beautiful works. Thanks for taking us along.
A lot of this work was brought in from Europe and California. It is the largest collection ever, from what I have read. The whole thing was overwhelming.
And, yes, Debra, both Rebecca and I could see this work influencing our quilting.
Thanks for introducing me to the work of Niki St. Phalle. I love and understand her comment about air coming into her life. I guess I can say the same thing about having to carry Ursula Oxygen with me everywhere I go. Now I am aware, before I took it for granted.
Post a Comment