The Formal Garden at the Getty Center were designed by Robert Irwin. You can read about it HERE.
It had just rained when we got back to the garden and so the dirt walkways were being closed as we entered. So I did not get to do the entire walk, but what I did see was quite amazing. There are wire "trees" at the front and plants climb up them. I am sure in the summer it must be stunning there, though as you can see, it was beautiful, even when we were there.
This second photo is as far into the area as I could get...in other words, not very far at all. I thought the walkway itself was pretty nice looking, with the formal plantings on either side. Note how the trees are all in their winter sleep phase. It is always good to see them take a few months off. :-)
This final shot shows how very muddy the dirt walkway was. You can see why they stopped me right were I was. I loved the rock though and decided to bother the Getty employee, by taking its photo.
By the way, according to my son (the know it all) the entire garden area is designed to look like a tree on the ground. I didn't realize it, but I trust he is right, as usual. :-)
You are trusting. Thank You both for the walk around. :-)
ReplyDeleteWhy would he lie? :-)
ReplyDeleteOK :-)
ReplyDeleteEnjoying the tour...
ReplyDeleteYou can see the "tree layout" in this image from the page you link to, Angel. The write-up underneath doesn't appear to explicitly state it as a design feature though.
I tried a quick google to see if I could find anyone anywhere who might explicitly mention the tree layout, but no luck (though I didn't try very hard). I did find this Sep, 2005, entry on the Getty though, and thought folks might be interested in checking it out if only for minor compare/contrast purposes. There are only two pics there, one closer-in, but still above the inner garden area. The write-up focuses on the architecture.
Wikipedia doesn't seem to mention the tree design/layout either, but I do think it's fairly evident, especially once it's been pointed out. That Wiki page also includes a small high overhead satellite image of the center too, but it's too small to really see details like the garden area well.
Yep, that 2005 photo caps it for me. It's definitely the top of a tree. My son went on a tour with his school back in the 4th grade. I am positive it was pointed out to him at the time and he was just cluing me in. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks my friend, for a better image.
BTW, the Getty was extremely controversial when it was built and both Meir and Irwin fought bitterly at the time. IMHO, it transcends both of them. Truly stunning...don't believe the architecture columnists. :-)