Thursday, October 11, 2018

The Planting Of Trees

During my first post, I showed you some panels around the depot station about the process of designing and creating a topiary. The specific one that was about is the one I'm showing you today, which was found on both sides of the pathway, one of the new ones. The Man Who Planted Trees finds its roots in a fable by Jean Giono. Frederic Back, a Canadian artist and animation director, won an Academy award for his short film adaptation of the story, which led to the creation of this work. The story is about a shepherd who seeks to transform a desolate area into a woodland, starting with a young oak. The man is surrounded by his sheep, his dog, and a couple of horses looking on across the path. These topiaries from design to finished work probably take up the most amount of time in their design- figuring out what plants must be placed where in the framework so that the colours and patterns will ultimately come out right. The stones evoke the arid quality of the setting.


The big sheepdog has a particular sense of whimsy to it. 


In the background above and below you can make out some of the topiaries we've already seen, and below the familiar shape of the Canadian Museum of History also shows itself.


For context, that oak tree is the size of one you'd be planting on your property. These sculptures definitely are larger than life.


This resting sheep alongside the shepherd caught my eye.


Across the path, two horses look on amid prairie grasses. I photographed them from two angles, including with the river in the background.


Here we have views from alongside the horses back to the rest of the topiary.


I paused here to take another look at where I had come from along the path.

34 comments:

  1. Love the little sheep, but everything is just amazing !

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  2. A wonderful place to visit and take photos!

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  3. Magnifico este conjunto do homem que plantou uma árvore.
    Um abraço e continuação de uma boa semana.

    Andarilhar
    Dedais de Francisco e Idalisa
    O prazer dos livros

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  4. I love the close up shots. They really let you see the details.

    Janis
    GDP

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  5. Oh wow, these are so cute. I love the sheepdog. Happy Thursday, enjoy your day!

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  6. @Gattina: I agree.

    @Nancy: it is indeed.

    @Klara: definitely!

    @Francisco: thanks!

    @Janis: they do.

    @Eileen: thank you!

    @Tom: it certainly is that.

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  7. They are simply wonderful to look at and study. I love the little sheep, too. :-)

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  8. Beautiful photos! You capture the cuteness of the dog really well. He looks hugable.

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  9. These are fantastic! The man & the dog are wonderful! But so are the sheep & horses!

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  10. Love the sheepdog. Again these are just amazing.

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  11. This sculpture would go a long way in getting us interested in the story it represents.

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  12. Great serie again, William. Specially the shepherd and his cute dog are wonderful.

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  13. This really is something truly amazing. I LOVE that sheep dog! So cute.

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  14. @Ricardo: thank you.

    @DJan: these sculptures really added a nice touch of whimsy.

    @Maywyn: he does!

    @RedPat: I agree.

    @Happyone: definitely!

    @Red: I imagine the short film must be out there on Youtube.

    @Jan: I think so too.

    @Sharon: it is!

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  15. Wow, these are all beautiful. I love the sheepdog!

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  16. I'm totally in awe of the work it must take to design these topiaries William, from choosing the right plants, the sheepdog is fabulous, to the clipping into shape. It's such a pleasure to see them, merci beaucoup ✨

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  17. I love the sheepdog! So adorable!

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  18. Amazing artwork. I agree with all those who love the sheepdog, it's my favorite.

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  19. @Marleen: so do I!

    @Grace: you're welcome.

    @Tamago: I agree!

    @Karl: that they are.

    @Lady Fi: I knew it would be popular.

    @Marie: I do as well.

    @Bill: it's quite something. I expect it'll make a return during my best of the year post.

    @Revrunner: green indeed. Must have been something they ate. :)

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  20. gotta show the hubs the sheep. so cute!! what amazing skills. ( :
    so rainy here.

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  21. These topiaries are amazing! Is the dog made of straw?

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  22. These are even more awesome than the previous ones ~ love the dog and the horses ~ what a creative place ~ thanks,

    Happy Day to you,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  23. These exhibits just keep getting better and better. I'm in love with that dog. It's fabulous.

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  24. These topiaries are so imaginative! I love them.

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  25. Goodness the sheepdog really is quite cute and adorable!
    Top marks to all who are involved in this wonderful event.

    All the best Jan

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  26. @Jenny: they are!

    @Beth: thanks!

    @Sandi: no, the grasses that are planted grow like that. It's similar to the musk oxen.

    @Carol: you're welcome.

    @Kay: the dog was a cutie!

    @Susie: I love them too.

    @Jan: thank you!

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