Boston Flower Show 2011

Just returned from the Boston Flower Show 2011 where I had the opportunity to build a metal sculpture, on-site, for the garden designed by four graduates of the Garden Design School.  It was one of 25 gardens constructed inside the Seaport World Trade Center, and displayed to the public, March 16-20.  

"Have aluminum wire will travel!"  
The journey begins from
Amy's (left) house and in Lauren's (right) car.
I'm in the middle.

Me and first metal flower.

JUST LOOK AT THAT DEEP GREEN.  Very different from the green we get in the Sonoran desert!  While everyone else was unpacking materials and planting, I secured a space on a nearby loading dock and began bending tubing and twirling aluminum wire in preparation for the final sculpture.

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The trees, flowers, pathways and pavilion had to be in place before the actual sculpture assembly could begin.  That happened just around midnight on the last day of set-up.  With a cup of tea and a banana from the convenience mart next door to fuel the final 7-hour construction and installation, Lauren and I worked through the night to get the sculpture positioned before the designers started arriving again at 7am.  

  Four aluminum wire flowers set into hand-bent metal tubing loop into, above and around the garden.
Integrated into the soil like one of the many plants, the sculpture beckons the viewer to come into the garden for a closer look. Photos below show different viewpoints.

Lauren checks out the "hidden side."

Metal flowers creep among natural flowers...

... and loop into the ground and sprout up as if 'planted' there.

Perhaps the sculptures are conversing--like two neighbors over a garden fence.

There were still more finishing touches to do on the garden before the judging began at 10am.  Luckily, Theresa (another garden designer) hopped the train in from Northboro and helped mulch the greenery beneath the bamboo pavilion. (She recommended me for this project, and is also an avid art collector. Thanks, Theresa.)

Right on schedule, our final garden design as seen from just inside the public entrance to the 
Seaport World Trade Center, Boston.
  Merry Perry Designs, photography.

Award winners.  Garden designers Lauren and Tom 
proudly show off their ribbon.
(Missing from photo are designers, Kim and Joanne.) Merry Perry Designs, photography

After all the WORK we went out (to the other exhibits) to PLAY!
From left Clare (visitor) Theresa, me

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For more behind the scenes info on how this garden came about, read Kim's award winning blog.