Nov 7 2022 - Thinking Inside the Box

 

Thinking and the box - Standard or derivative, as opposed to creative or innovative; the opposite of "outside the box." "Please abandon any inside the box thinking because we need to come up with an attention-getting, innovative ad campaign. Don't give me inside the box choreography—I want to see something mind-blowing!" This next article seems to have a direct response to the above: "If someone tells me to do this, it's usually because they're frustrated with the situation. They don't like the outcomes, and so they bellow to those around them that they need to be more creative. What they're really saying is that they don't understand why what's in front of them in not materializing what they originally envisioned. And so they want other people to think outside the box to come up with new ideas." In 2004, the architect Peter Ryan, from Melbourne, designed and built a livable house made from cardboard boxes. The largest collection of pizza boxes belongs to Scott Wiener (USA) and consists of 595 different boxes as of 23 October 2013, in New York City, New York, USA. Fastest time to cram into a box: 4.75 seconds. Record-breaking contortionist Skye Broberg from New Zealand folded her whole body into a box that measured just 52 x 45 x 45 cm (20 x 17 x 17 in)!  There are world records such as the tallest person to fit in a 20x23 inch box, mosts tissues pulled out of box in 15 seconds, most playing cards flipped into a box while balancing an egg on the top of his non-throwing hand.  Little boxes, big boxes - here's the Toronto Botanical Gardens building in Autumn. Read more daily posts here: marilyncornwellblog.com Purchase works here: Fine Art America- marilyncornwellart.com Redbubble - marilyncornwellart.ca

Aug 11 2021 -Little Island Garden

 

New and inspiring gardens are being created in our time.  They are still evolving creatively.  My own experience of our visual and performance arts is that they are developing new forms, but they have left the common public behind.  Remember the art piece of a banana duct-taped to a wall that sold for $120,000 - and he produced more than one as it was a popular sale.  There are lots of articles defending and criticizing the piece - a demonstration of my point.  On the side of landscape design as art, New York City's Little Island has opened. It was designed by landscape architect Signe Nielsen.  You can download a 40 minute tour of the landscape HERE. This is a garden built on what once was Pier 54 on the Hudson River.  Hurricane Sandy did significant damage prohibiting  use as an outdoor summer venue. It has two little bridges to reach it as it stands above the water on white pillars.  The idea of rejuvenation was envisioned in 2013 by Barry Diller: “What was in my mind was to build something for the people of New York and for anyone who visits—a space that on first sight was dazzling, and upon use made people happy.” ~Barry Diller "The lifted corners of the pier create distinct microclimates that reveal themselves through color, texture, light and shadow. Whether meandering along paths or taking alternate routes of stairs or boulders scrambles, the eye is at times directed downward to the rich palette of plants or outwards to spectacular views of the city and harbor. Little Island will be a maritime botanic garden with 35 species of trees, 65 species of shrubs, and 270 varieties of grasses, perennials, vines, and bulbs, many of which have been selected for their fragrance and attractiveness to birds and pollinators. The landscape is one of sweeping swaths of textures and seasonally calibrated color themes punctuated by magnificent trees.” ~Signe Nielsen The photo gallery of progress is HERE. The New York Times article, written May 20th, is extensive, comparing the garden to English garden follies. The author says this will be love at first sight and the Island Garden will be mobbed (in a good way).  A very happy moment during these times. It is exciting that this is something new and bold in the garden realm. I hope this is a trend. And what did I experience at Toronto Botanical Garden Saturday morning? This was a group making a video.  Does anyone know the origin of the traditional outfits?

Purchase at: FAA - marilyncornwellart.com Redbubble - marilyncornwellart.ca

Did You Stop?

“Pedestrians are considered traffic,” writes Ontario Ministry of Transportation spokesman Ajay Woozageer.  That was a most interesting statement - it seems to have two messages - 'pay attention drivers', and then 'look out pedestrians.'  The statement was made in response to a Globe and Mail question and answer article on whether cars should (are required to) yield to pedestrians at a crosswalk.   What I so enjoyed about the Toronto Islands was the lack of crosswalks - there are no cars on the Islands.  And in Grimsby Beach where the Painted Ladies are, the streets are 'lanes' so narrow they are effectively one-way streets in whichever direction the car is going.   Today's pictures again showcase TBG's Wilket Creek.  I was at Grimsby Beach yesterday, and wished for the golds and oranges to reflect in Forty Creek.  But alas, there aren't any Autumn colour reflections so far.

The Garden Traveller coming next week to TBG

I will be lecturing at the Toronto Botanical Gardens on Tuesday October 27 1:00 - 2:30 on the topic "The Garden Traveller".  It is course PG15F27and you can register with the TBG at their website or by phone http://torontobotanicalgarden.ca/learn/.  There will be a sneak preview in tomorrow's post.   Today we look at some scenes on the Strasburg Railway.

The Twelve Days Tradition

Our Christmas Traditions - The Twelve Days of Christmas

I find out that the 12 days of Christmas were not the catechism in code taught to Roman Catholics in England during the time they were not permitted to practice their faith openly.

In fact, this was a well-known in nursery rhyme in the 1800's and published in books at the time.  Just the same, they are interesting and creative biblical interpretations.  Here they are: 

* The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

* Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments

* Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.

* The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.

* The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.

* The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

* Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit - Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.

* The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.

* Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit-Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.

* The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.

* The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.

* The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.

Our selected image today comes from the Toronto Botanical Gardens, Wilket Creek in winter 2014.

Spindletree Gardens - Frank Kershaw Tour with Toronto Botanical Gardens

Hi everyone,

I want to make sure you are aware of a special opportunity to get to see this private garden open to the public with a great tour leader.  Frank Kershaw is leading a tour to Spindletree Gardens on July 10th.  Tom Brown and Sue Meisner are the garden creators and owners and will give a tour of the gardens.  The gardens are located north of Kingston in Tamworth.  This makes it worth hopping onto a bus tour and having someone else drive.  The bus leaves TBG at 8:00am in the morning and arrives back around 6:30pm.  

This is a one-of-a-kind garden.  It is very large with 20 acres of gardens.  There are many beautiful structures - stone built walls and pretty bridges.  There are historic buildings and structures that have been moved to the site and are now garden focal points.  

This garden is open to the public for tours and there is a tea room for lunch, so it has the amenities of a public garden while being a personal creation.  

I have registered for the tour, as the last time I was there was a few years ago, and many additions have occurred since then.  I am looking forward to seeing the beautiful structures and gardens.

Here's the link at TBG:

http://torontobotanicalgarden.ca/event/day-trip-spindletree-gardens/

Please consider joining us on this tour and having some fun with us.

Farewell to Winter

I was at Toronto Botanical Gardens this past Sunday and the snow was melting into beautiful crystal patterns, and I was able to capture a few in the courtyard garden.

TBG Garden Tour June 25th

I can report that the June 25th TBG fundraiser garden tour was outstanding. It was hosted by Frank Kershaw and sponsored by the Toronto Botanical Gardens.  My friend, Sue and I got on the big bus and were happily transported from garden to garden.  Frank had hand-chosen the gardens for variety and breadth of landscape design, plantings, plantsmanship and general style.  There were private gardens that have not been accessible to the public or part of other garden events.  There was so much to take in that day.  One of the highlights was the one-of-a-kind collection at the end.  A marvel of knowledge and skill!  

We started in the west end of Toronto in my neighbourhood and made our way through towards the Old Mill, where we had lunch.  The afternoon was spent in the central/east part of the city, with a return top TBG at the end of the day.  TBG's gardens are a delight to see right now as well.