Gardens of sensations in Chaumont

Monday 29 July 2013

Ruban Rouge by Yu Kongjian - Photo by E.Sander
The 22nd International Garden Festival, in Chaumont sur Loire, France, is this year focusing on feelings and sensations. Landscape artists and garden designers from all over the world were asked to work on the subject and stimulate all of the visitor's senses, by building surprising gardens. 
The 'Ruban Rouge' garden (Red Ribbon) by Chinese designer Yu Kongjian encourages contemplation and rest.

Voir les sons, entendre les couleurs by Julie Aviron, Jérôme Levallard, Alice Gounet and Sarah Schrader - Photo by E.Sander
'Voir les sons, entendre les couleurs' (Seeing sounds, hearings colours), by landscape artists Julie Aviron, Jérôme Levallard, Alice Gounet, and designer Sarah Schrader, gives off unbalancing sensations of vertigo, accentuated by the changing nature of the ground and the many different sounds heard throughout the garden.

Courir pour voir la couleur du vent by Daniela Borroni, Susanna Rossellini and Simona Venturelli - Photo by E.Sander
Italian garden architects Daniela Borroni, Susanna Rossellini and Simona Venturelli have come up with a garden called 'Courir pour voir la couleur du vent' (Running to see the colour of the wind), in which artificial elements provoke many surprises. Gusts of wind bring perfume to the walkers' noses, caress their skin and transform the sounds that reach their ears.

Courir pour voir la couleur du vent by Daniela Borroni, Susanna Rossellini and Simona Venturelli - Photo by E.Sander 
Gram(in)ophone by Alexandra Epée, Olivier Brichet and Flora Rich - Photo by  E.Sander
With Gram(in)ophone, French designers and scenographers Alexandra Epée, Olivier Brichet and Flora Rich, have set a field of grass plants in motion. From the humidity of the ground to the soft darkness of the surroundings, smell, dermis and hearing are sollicited. Receptors throughout the garden collect and release the sounds of plants and awaken the visitor.

Gram(in)ophone by Alexandra Epée, Olivier Brichet and Flora Rich - Photo by  E.Sander

Gram(in)ophone by Alexandra Epée, Olivier Brichet and Flora Rich - Photo by  E.Sander

Jardin à frôler by aKousthéa - Photo by E.Sander
The 'Jardin à frôler' (Garden to brush past) by musical company aKousthéa is made from vegetal lianas. The audience is immersed in the experience and feels the physical sensations of touch when walking through it. The sounds of the materials and of the garden are revealed by its presence.