World Topiary Days (WTD)
Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 May.
Topiary art is an artistic expression in its own right: the art of giving plants a geometric or figurative form according to the artist's inspiration. In this way, plants are transformed into living sculptures.
These plant sculptures play with space by creating volumes, optical illusions and perspective in the garden. They guide the visitor's gaze where the artist, landscaper or gardener wishes to draw attention. The possibilities are limitless in terms of style.
Topiary art can be very present in certain parks and gardens and define the character of a garden.
In the Sculpture Garden at Bois-Guilbert, the sculptures tend to be made of bronze, resin or cement, and blend seamlessly into the landscape. Topiary art in its classic shrub form is present in a delicate way only in places: around the family home, enriching the garden with soft, round or conical shapes that are discreet and in harmony with the pure composition of the whole. The most impressive shapes, veritable plant architecture, have been given to the arches of the cloister made of hornbeam and to the boxwood maze.
Activities available without booking (€3 supplement on top of the garden entrance fee):
- Saturday 10 at 10.30 am : guided tour on the theme of topiary art: discover what topiary art is, its history, its place in the Sculpture Garden created by landscape artist Jean-Marc de Pas, and the techniques involved in creating and maintaining it. Meet the artist Jean-Marc de Pas in his studio afterwards.
- Saturday 10 from 2pm to 6pm : modelling workshop on the theme of ‘modelling nature’. Using models and specific techniques taught by a facilitator, create your own clay sculptures. If possible, we recommend you bring a small cardboard box to transport your clay creations so you can take them home with you. Open to children and adults.
Also available at no extra charge: a visit to the Sculpture Garden and the exhibition ‘400 years of the Bois-Guilbert estate: Land of inspiration’ in the château's salons.
