Rich Cultural Experience - Stimulating Your Senses, Mind, Body and Soul by Mary J. at InsiderPages
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Since its grand opening in 1995, Frederik Meijer Gardens has grown out of its artistic apprenticeship and blossomed into the cultural, botanical and sculptural Mecca for Michigan residents and the greater Great Lakes region. The 125-acre attraction on Grand Rapids' Northeast side is a year round experience comprised of wetlands, woodlands, meadows, indoor and outdoor botanical gardens, world-class sculptures and performances by nationally acclaimed musicians. The crown jewel of the indoor gardens is the five-story Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory, the largest facility of its type in the state and is home to tropical plants and flowers from five continents including 30' high palm trees, coconut trees, bamboo, papyrus and vibrant orchids. The giant greenhouse also features a waterfall, gentle streams and is maintained at a delightful 75 degrees. Next to the conservatory, the Gardens' indoor horticulture collection also includes a carnivorous plant house and desert and Victorian gardens. In 2000, Meijer Gardens opened three state-of-the-art galleries that have held the works of Picasso, George Segal, Mark di Suvero and Claes Oldenburg.
The 35-acre outdoor sculpture park is filled with works by famous and world-renowned artists like Rodin, Henry Moore, Sansovino, Magdalena Abakanowicz and Jacques Lipchitz. Some of the works are colossal, the most famous of which is Leonardo Da Vinci's American Horse, the 24' bronze equestrian by sculptor Nina Akamu. Seeing is believing as no picture does it justice. It is simultaneously detailed and immense, beautiful and inspirational, fun and awe inspiring. If for no other reason, visit Meijer Gardens to see the Da Vinci Horse. Learn more about it online: http://www.leonardoshorse.org
Other grandiose works include the 35' Grand Rapids Arch by Andy Goldsworthy, the 23' tall Male/Female by Johnathan Borofsky the 42' canopy B-Tree II by