Herculean, Pharaonic and other Garden Superlatives

Tree ferns growing in the tropical greenhouse, Château du Champ de Bataille, Normandy, France.

Herculean, Pharaonic and other Garden Superlatives One of the Seven Wonders, for which the specific location has never been established, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon are said to have contained a large variety of trees, shrubs and vines planted in tiers on raised terraces in an extraordinary feat of engineering. While visiting the Remarkable Gardens (see other garden studies with this label) of the Château du Champ de Bataille, I drew a parallel with these mythical gardens, beginning with the symbolic notion that they are said to embody: The Seven Degrees of Creation from the Mineral, Vegetal, and Animal to Humanity, Conscience, Light and Spirit, in that order. Jacques Garcia, renowned decorator, acquired the château in 1992. Working with landscape architect Patrick Pottier, they carried out the herculean task of conceiving and planting more than 240 acres of formal gardens consisting of groves, French parterres, boxwood topiary, basins, terraces, steps and fountains complimented by temples, theaters and sculptures. Hidden at the end of the garden is the “pièce de résistance” (flourish); a genuine 18th century Indian palace, reconstructed stone by stone, complete with an artificial lake: the Palace of Dreams. From the Material to the Immaterial, visitors pass from the … Read More

Exhibition opening of Wild Wild West at Studio Galerie B&B

Elise Prudhomme exhibits new color work from her series "Wild Wild West" at Studio Galerie B&B in Paris, France.

Exhibition Opening of Wild Wild West | Studio Galerie B&B It was another memorable full-house at Studio Galerie B&B for the exhibition opening of “A Little Further West” (Un peu plus à l’ouest) featuring black and white photographs by Philippe Bachelier “Ouessantine Promenades” and new color work by Elise Prudhomme from her series Wild Wild West.  Here are a few photos taken during the evening! The show is on until 23 December 2016 and will reopen in January 2017. Studio Galerie B&B6 bis rue des Récollets – 75010 Parisinfo@studiogaleriebb.com

Wild Wild West | Exhibition at Studio Galerie B&B in Paris

Elise Prudhomme photography exhibition entitled Wild Wild West

Wild Wild West | Exhibition at Studio Galerie B&B in Paris from 13 – 23 December 2016 Honoring the centennial of America’s National Park Service, Elise Prudhomme presents “Wild Wild West” a contemporary study of Western American landscapes faced with man’s appropriation of them.  While contemplating the landscape definitely involves an aesthetic act, appropriating the landscape implies an act of transformation. Transformed into places of recreation, habitation or consumption, the evolution of these landscapes reveals a new picturesque. A l’occasion du centenaire pour la création des Parcs Nationaux aux Etats-Unis, Elise Prudhomme présente « Wild Wild West » une étude contemporaine sur les paysages d’Amérique de l’Ouest face à l’homme qui se les approprie. Tandis que contempler le paysage signifie assurément faire intervenir un acte esthétique, s’approprier le paysage implique un acte de transformation. Transformés en lieux de récréation, habitation ou consommation, il en résulte de nos paysages d’aujourd’hui un nouveau pittoresque. Exposition du 13 au 23 décembre 2016Vernissage le mardi 13 décembre de 18h à 21h Studio Galerie B&B6 bis rue des Récollets – 75010 Parisinfo@studiogaleriebb.com