|
"All art is but imitation of nature."
-Lucius Annaeus Seneca
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A Sculpture
in Life Size
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The garden was originally designed
for a public park. The concept is equally suitable,however, for the grounds of a private residence or yoga ashram.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The garden concept grew from an
unlikely beginning.
In Halifax, Nova Scotia, there is a park that is treasured by the people of the city.
Point Pleasant is surrounded by the harbor and the sea and is covered by old growth forest.
Two years ago, however, the Park was found to have an unwelcome occupant. The Brown Spruce Longhorn Beetle had
arrived from overseas. The beetle spread from the dockyard, infesting the Red Spruce trees of the park.
Authorities decided to remove the affected trees in an effort to prevent the insect from spreading.
But not everyone agreed with the plan. Some citizens felt the move was unnecessary.
A controversy arose.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A Focus on the Positives in Life
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From this hurt and conflict came
Peter Redden's wish to provide the city with a sculpture that acknowledges the positives in a difficult situation. The yoga sculpture would be a first step in the process of healing.
In spite of the trees that have fallen, Point Pleasant Park continues to be a place of beauty.
The yoga garden was designed to celebrate this beauty.
The Meaning of the Design--
New Life from the Sun |
|
|
|
With the falling of the trees in the park, new sunlight will touch the forest floor. The soil will be
energized. New plant life will germinate and grow.
The eight yoga figures of the garden are posed in sun salutation, symbolizing this new life.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The eight life-sized yoga figures are posed at each point of compass direction (north, north- east, east,
south-east, etc.) The yoga figure on the eastern compass point is Namaste. She stands in the greeting position to salute the sun with the dawning of each new day.
Namaste faces outward to the world. The remaining yoga figures face inward to energize the circle.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The compass rose pattern is divisible into eight pieces, each one forming the shape of a beetle. The center
circle of the compass symbolizes the trees that have been lost to the park.
As a whole the compass rose resembles the sun.
The entire pattern thus symbolizes overcoming adversity and a willingness to move forward from a period of difficulty.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New life, healing and overcoming adversity
-- these themes are universal.
So too is the concept of the yoga garden.
With Peter Redden's unique skill and imagination, the garden could be designed and constructed to grace the
grounds of any home or retreat.
|
|
|
|
