Monday, May 10, 2021

SUPERnatural: Glass Art in Bloom

I can't express how exciting it is to have friends visiting again! Some friends recently visited from Washington, DC, and the Dominican Republic. We excitedly enjoyed a sneak peek of SUPERnatural: Glass Art in Bloom, officially opening at the Atlanta Botanical Garden on May 15, 2021! It's yet another magnificent yet wholly unique summer exhibition here.

SUPERnatural | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor
SUPERnatural | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor

This show, going on through October 31, 2021, features the work of contemporary glass artist Jason GamrathGamrath's career has been inspired by fellow Seattle artist Dale Chihuly, who has exhibited at the Atlanta Botanical Garden numerous times, including in 2004 and again in 2016, to name a couple.

There will be a total of 13 installations, comprised of approximately 150 pieces of glass, representing brilliantly colorful blooming plants, and approximately 30 of those are new, specifically for this exhibition! 

Carmen & Colomba | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor
Carmen and Colomba | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor

I've been visiting this Garden since the late 1980s and I was totally blown away, so you can imagine how impressed my friends Carmen and Colomba were. It was their first time at the Garden. Actually, it was their first time to Atlanta and the Garden was their first local tourist attraction, which ended up being the favorite of their visit—and they packed a lot in! Of course I was thrilled to share the Garden with them, it being one of my favorite destinations in the city.

SUPERnatural | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor
SUPERnatural | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor

Garmath's interpretation of the Aquilegia plant is magnificent! I didn't know it was fashioned after a real flower—too many science-fiction movies, I guess. These are "planted" in front of Longleaf Restaurant where garden-goers were dining, mostly alfresco because it was such a beautiful day. Lots of photos were being made here.

Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor
Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor

As is the case with so many flowers at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, the peonies are absolutely stunning! It's no wonder they're such a popular flower in bridal bouquets. I love visiting the Garden this time of year...there's no other place like it in the city.

SUPERnatural | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor
SUPERnatural | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor

To call Garath's "Large Orchids" large is an understatement. I'm 6'2" they totally dwarf me! The ones we saw are along the Great Lawn and, of course, inside the Fuqua Orchid Center, which opened in 2002 and has become one of the most popular attractions at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, and for good reason...it's home to one of the largest collections of various species of orchids in the Southeast, the world even!

Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor
Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor

As mentioned, I've been visiting the Garden for decades, but I don't recall a time when the Rose Garden was quite so stunning. It was like the Garden was showing off for my friends, for which I'm grateful. Did you know that the Rose Garden predates the incorporation of the Atlanta Botanical Garden in 1976? You'll learn a LOT on one of the Garden's tours!

SUPERnatural | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor
SUPERnatural | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor

Native to Africa, we got to see the real-time installation of a cluster of Kniphofia, commonly known as Red Hot Poker plants or Red Hot Torch Lilies. The gardeners "planting" the towering sculptures were very kind in answering the burning questions that my friends had. That kind of courtesy goes a long way in making someone's day, so I'm grateful to them for enhancing my friends' visit to the Garden.

Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor
Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor

We toured the Desert House in the Conservatory where I got to explain that there are no cacti in the Desert House, but there are LOTS outside in the Skyline Garden, some of them in bloom on this particular visit.

SUPERnatural | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor
Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor

One of the aspects of the Atlanta Botanical Garden that I love most is the fact that every time you turn a corner, look up or down, side to side, you see yet something else that is beautiful and fascinating. Any visit to the Garden has the makings for a great day!

Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor
Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor

I also don't visit the Garden without a camera. Okay, I don't go most places without a camera, but I know that the Atlanta Botanical Garden will always provide amazing subject matter for my lenses. And it has consistently proven to be a favorite of friends visiting from out of town.

Be sure to catch SUPERnatural: Glass Art in Bloom this summer and before it closes on October 31, 2021. And bring some friends...they too may find that it's a favorite of theirs.