Peter Walker // Nasher Sculpture Garden
I stumbled upon a lecture where Walker discussed his garden design for the Nasher Sculpture Center, a project undertaken in collaboration with architect Renzo Piano. Together, they have crafted a sublime modernist rendition of a sculpture garden.
Inspired by the aesthetic sensibilities of Dan Kiely, Walker's design for the gardens seeks to seamlessly integrate sculptural elements into an outdoor gallery space. The linear layout mirrors that of the architectural structures, providing unobstructed views from the street straight through to the garden, subdivided by walls running parcel to the garden. The design's clean simplicity belies its underlying complexity and sophistication, serving to enhance the displayed artworks without overshadowing them.
Noteworthy is the construction process, which involved excavating a 2-meter-deep pit beneath the garden to accommodate various utility services and hydrological systems, ensuring a completely flat surface.
Regrettably, the erection of the 'museum tower', an apartments rising 42 stories tall, has marred the pristine views and introduced unwanted reflections, thereby altering the ambient temperature within the garden. This interference has elicited strong objections from both Walker and artist James Turrell lamenting the permanent damage inflicted.
Despite these challenges, I find the design of this space profoundly inspiring. Its understated elegance and inherent flexibility in accommodating artworks speak to a reverence for brief and design over personal expression. Moreover, the seamless connection between indoor and outdoor realms fosters a harmonious dialogue between art and nature.
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