On a whim, I decided to visit the New Orleans Botanical Garden the end of last year. I had a lot on my mind and felt the desire to take a walk. I picked a doozy of a day, because it was really cold. Despite the cold weather, I had an amazing cerebral experience while visiting. I would like to share with you some of the amazing and beautiful things I saw that day.
The New Orleans Botanical Garden is nestled in New Orleans City Park. City Park Of New Orleans houses many fun and entertaining things to do, such as Storyland (updated post coming soon), City Putt, Carousel Gardens Amusement Park, Peristyle, The New Orleans Museum Of Art, Louisiana Children’s Museum, Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden (here and here), Cafe Du Monde and a host of other fun things to do. It’s a place that is constantly growing and evolving.
Upon entering the Botanical Garden, my eyes were greeted with a fanciful fountain and archway. It was lovely just standing there, watching the water dance and flounce about its platform. Do you find water displays mesmerizing? I find fountains to be relaxing and therapeutic. I love looking at them. This archway also captured my eye. As I walked through it, I felt like Alice in Wonderland going down the rabbit hole. What was on the other end? You must read on …
At the end of this archway, was another beautiful water fountain. I saw many things in this structure: strength, sturdiness and support. I saw two vertical columns supporting two horizontal structures. In my heart, two people working together are stronger than one alone. What’s also interesting is how the top structure has both a large and smaller piece. The larger one is supporting the smaller one. However, all four pieces are different sizes. Isn’t life that way? It doesn’t matter how short, tall, big or small you are? When you want to support something, you do everything in your power to do so.
The next thing I encountered was a four-way maze. I felt like running from one end of it to another. In the center of this maze was a pond. The pond contained lily pads, a sculpture (boy atop a fish), lush green shrubbery and benches about.
My readers know how much I fancy chandeliers. Have you ever seen a chandelier hanging from a tree? I couldn’t stop looking at the one pictured below. It brings new meaning to the words, light up the sky. Those words just came to me while looking at my picture, so I looked them up and found the information below. Isn’t that interesting? GOD.
Songfact: ‘Light Up the Sky’ is a picture of what it looks like when you make it through one of those really challenging times and you look back and see how God was using all those things for good; and that you were never alone.” The song featured on the June 22, 2010 Break-Up to Make-Up episode of the MTV show The Hills.
There were a number of sculptures displayed throughout the Botanical Garden, but several captured my attention. The one below is called The Flute Player. It’s my absolute favorite! I could sit all day and look at it. It’s the epitome of peace, tranquility, calm and grace. She’s perfectly perched in the center of the pond with small fanciful fountains graced about.
Many of the works displayed in The Botanical Garden and City Park are by Enrique Alferez. He was born in Mexico. His family moved to El Paso, Texas. He studied in Chicago, then made his home in New Orleans, Louisiana. Throughout his life, he remained true to himself. He spoke how he truly felt and lived that way. As we all know, whenever this happens, it doesn’t go without controversy. Alferez wasn’t scared of controversy. It didn’t deter him or change the way he did things.
Some people were uncomfortable with the nudity shown in a variety of his works. This left some of his works either not displayed or removed at one point of time. One such work called, “The Family” (shown further below) was covered with a tarp and removed from display. This article talks about other controversies with his works.
I love this quote by Enrique Alferez.
“I do things. I don’t talk about it”
I really need to purchase the book, Enrique Alferez Sculptor. As I was walking, I didn’t note the names of all of his works. I know there’s a story and meaning behind each. I’m interested in learning and understanding more about his works. I’m going to read it before going again. It will give me clarification. Below are some of my favorites, just in their beauty alone.
I loved this fountain (pictured below), because the girl is at the very top of it all. There are steps that lead to her. Water trickles downward. Flowers have been planted about. However, she is at the top. She is the focal point of it all.
When I look at the sculpture below, I see steadfastness. No matter what is around her, beneath her, above her etc. She is strong-willed, unmoved, determined. She’s anchored in place. Her focus is steady. She is secure. I would love to just sit on that bench for 30 minutes and just take it all in. Do you know people like this? I definitely do.
In the sculpture below, I see strength, balance & steadiness. Doesn’t it remind you of a gymnast? I see it in the front & back of the sculpture. I see it throughout her entire body. From her fingertips to her feet. Unwavering is her stance.
Pas de deux shows a man embracing a woman. His arm is around her waist. Her hand is touching the side of his face ever so gently. Their other hands are hand-in-hand. One word describes it for me … LOVE. The human art form, in Alferez’s works, are so beautiful. I love how this couple is caressing one another. It’s so touching and beautiful.
Arabesque is a term used in ballet. “The term arabesque in classical ballet refers to a specific pose, in which the dancer’s weight is supported by one leg while the other leg is held backward in the air.” So beautiful.
For some reason, I felt the sculpture below was a bit dark and haunting. It was faceless. It looked like someone caught in a bad storm, trying to hold on or about to be taken away (unbalanced footing) from the bad weather that is occurring.
Below are a couple of controversial sculptures of Alferez. A child breastfeeding. The family sculpture (genitalia) I mentioned above. These were controversial for some people. I giggled, because these controversies still live today.
I am not a professional art critic, nor am I trying to be. I’m just sharing my thoughts on what I consider beautiful works of art. As with anything, we all see things differently. What I see, may not be what you see and vice versa.
I needed this outing (others must’ve needed it as well … there were people braving the cold and walking about in thought that day). I learned about a very interesting man. I admire him. I’m thankful for his works. They are being enjoyed by many today. I plan on going back. If you come to New Orleans, I encourage you to visit The Botanical Garden.
Every holiday season, The Botanical Garden creates a magnificent poinsettia tree. I always see pictures of it on their social media account. Last year I wanted to see it in person. There’s nothing like seeing something in person for yourself. I encourage you to do so, with everything. It gives you an entirely different perspective.
I enjoyed the hours I spent at The Botanical Garden. I plan on visiting it again during the Spring or Summer months. It was without flowers, but it let me focus on the other beautiful things (sculptures etc) instead. It’s a magical space to spend your time. I’ve included a video tour of it below. You can see My Instagram Reels by clicking on these 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
