The Late Show Gardens - A review.

The first annual Late Show Gardens opened to the public on a very hot and sunny Friday September 18, 2009 in Sonoma CA.

This new garden show is site specific to the arid Northern California Mediterranean climate .
It address the dry summer climate, the dwindling water resources and makes the case for incorporating sustainable gardening practices in our home and community gardens.

As you enter into the Cornerstone complex the first exhibition garden by Gary Rattway and Mike Lucas emphasizes regeneration in the face of our past history of pollution.
Massive rusted old oil tanks are used as monolithic rocks hosting a textural tapestry of grasses which bio- remediates contaminated soils.

From New Album 9/12/09 6:38 PM

Once inside the garden complex you are welcomed by some very tall and reedy plant sculptures.

From New Album 9/12/09 6:38 PM

Suzanne Biaggi and Patrick Picards display garden called Flow and Accumulation was a delight to the eye and the conscience.
They used permaculture buliding techniques throughout the garden.

From New Album 9/12/09 6:38 PM

From New Album 9/12/09 6:38 PM

From New Album 9/12/09 6:38 PM

Running down the length of the table was a runnel of water

From New Album 9/12/09 6:38 PM

One of the more exciting sculptures was The Grow Melt Project.
An ice sculpture by Peter Good, Liz Einwiller, Adam Greenspan , Sarah Kuelh and David Fong.
It was about 98 degrees F. today and I fear that this sculpture is not going to make it though the end of today, Friday.

From New Album 9/12/09 6:38 PM

From New Album 9/12/09 6:38 PM

It was stated that this sculpture was intended to be a moving metaphor for the processes that affect our world.
To me it said Global Warming.

From New Album 9/12/09 6:38 PM

Shirley Watts never fails to inspire . She is one of those inward - outward designers . One who contemplates deeply inwardly and then can make a visual statement outwardly seamlessly and beautifully
Her design, A Garden of Mouthings captures your attention.
Here she is bringing the story of our hard working honey bees to the gardener though music , poetry and structure.

From New Album 9/12/09 6:38 PM

Monica Viarengo “Black Soul” Garden was extremely dramatic.
As you wandered down into a deep cut in the earth you were flanked on either side by towering black soil volcanoes and moody dark plantings.
This garden represents her feelings toward climate change.

From New Album 9/12/09 6:38 PM

At the bottom of the gulch there was a message , surrounded by white marble chips and a small dark square of water. “ Be the change you want to see”

From New Album 9/12/09 6:38 PM

Something to think about , wouldn’t you say ?

I’m one who usually gets metaphors. After years and years of art school you start to get it. But I didn’t get Beth Mullins “Over Growth” metaphor.
I appreciated the juxtapositioning of all the disparate elements but over all it was lost on me.

From New Album 9/12/09 6:38 PM

Well, It’s hitting the 100 degree mark here in my neck of the woods so I will leave you with a few more images before I take in a cool wet shower.

From New Album 9/12/09 6:38 PM

From New Album 9/12/09 6:38 PM

From New Album 9/12/09 6:38 PM

From New Album 9/12/09 6:38 PM

Oh , and one last note.
The speakers were FANTASTIC !
Below is a shot of the fabulous Jeffrey Bale Mosaic Artist.
His slide show and talk was wonderful !

From New Album 9/12/09 6:38 PM

Now for a refreshing cold shower.

If you plan on visiting the show on Saturday or Sunday please bring a hat, lots of water and some sensible shoes.

The organizes have placed water coolers around the grounds , but do keep hydrated.
We are in for some very hot sunny weather this weekend.

Enjoy !