Savage Gardens at Franklin Park Conservatory





	*A fabulous blend of art, science, plants, and engineering* *– made accessible and fun!* Savage Gardens: The Real and Imaginary World of Carnivorous Plants premiered in July 2010 at Franklin Park Conservatory in Columbus, Ohio. A multi-layered, multi-media exhibition, Savage Gardens tells the story of carnivorous plants and their astounding ability to adapt to inhospitable habitats. Combining science, botany, art, humor, and hands-on activity, Savage Gardens reaches all ages with its rich components. Four monumental sculptures render viewers bug-sized, while interactive and interpretive elements educate, and fine art and cartoons entertain. Franklin Park Conservatory is committed to showcasing the incredible talent of our central Ohio creative community. To this end, the Conservatory has designed Savage Gardens to travel, and is making the exhibit available in a rental program to other public gardens in North America. The Conservatory has worked with the artists to ensure the portability of the large sculptures and other components. Please use the links below to find detailed specifications and images of the components, as well as some of the media coverage that Savage Gardens received while on view at Franklin Park Conservatory. Components & Specifications Images & Video Media Coverage Exhibit Components & Specifications Monumental Sculpture Savage Gardens uses artistic expression as a vehicle for educating the public about the wonders of these unique plants and the importance of preserving the delicate environments in which they live. Super-sized sculptures of four carnivorous plants created by Ohio artists from Tork Inc., juxtaposed with the horticultural installations of these plants, have mesmerized local and regional visitors of all ages as they get a true bugs-eye perspective of what it would be like to be these plants’ prey. Each sculpture comes with a 6x8’ hand-painted identifying banner. The Dionaea muscipula – the widely-known Venus flytrap – is captured in a sculpture that replicates the closing of the “trap” through the use of hydraulics controlled by visitors. One (1) 9’ Tall, Interactive sculpture with shipping crate Sarracenia (North American pitcher plant) is made up of seven separate “plants” reaching heights of 15 feet and illuminated within. Realistic in form and color, hammered aluminum with translucent powdercoating creates interesting play of light and color. Exterior light can be added for dramatic effect at night. Seven (7) 6’ to 15’ Tall sculptures with shipping crates The “pitcher” of the Nepenthes (tropical pitcher plant) invites visitors to step inside to imagine the fate of the insect that was allured by its nectar, through texture, form, and sound. One (1) 10’ Tall Nepenthes sculpture with shipping crate Drosera, sundew, uses hundreds of feet of fiber optic cable to illuminate the plant’s tentacles that it uses to allure and trap prey. Over 500 translucent resin tentacles with droplets are internally lighted for dramatic effect. One (1) 8’ Drosera sculpture with shipping crate Banners (5) Large Scale (9ft high x 6ft wide) hand-painted Canvas banners. One banner accompanies each of the four monumental sculptures (above), identifying it with an image and its formal name. A fifth banner is an introduction to the overall exhibit. (8) 9’2” x 4’4” Educational Banners w/ Pole Pockets. Banners featuring individual photographic images of carnivorous plant species with educational text. Children’s Interactive Stations Six (6) freestanding, movable interactive pieces provide hands-on, playful learning. Gotcha! – learn how the plants lure, trap, and digest their prey “Operation” – be careful: try to remove the insects from the traps Wheel – identify different species of carnivorous plants Venus Flytrap – feed him and snap his trap shut Photo Op – be a bug, and have your picture taken inside a pitcher plant Magnet Board – where do these plants live? Build a bog with magnetic images of carnivorous plants Local Art Competition Franklin Park Conservatory collaborated with an artist and educator from the Wexner Center for the Arts, to curate an exhibition of original art inspired by carnivorous plants, by local artists. Fifteen original works by eleven artists provided an abstract interpretation of these fascinating plants. This part of Savage Gardens was supported by a grant from the local arts council. It was very much enjoyed by visitors and added an interesting layer to the show, both through the artists’ interpretations and the local representation. Commissioned Art In addition, two (2) large-scale works of art were commissioned exclusively for Savage Gardens through an open competition. These two large sculptures are also available to travel with Savage Gardens. *Please Do Not Disturb* Materials: Ceramic, hand-formed glass, aluminum, steel, flocking, sound (MP3 players) Dimensions: 120” high x 120” wide x 96” deep This black earth-toned ceramic and glass pod form is sculpted in three parts, from which “grow” seven whimsical trumpets, with light green exteriors and hot pink interiors. The sound of snoring is played continuously from speakers inside each trumpet. The sculpture requires electricity and includes the MP3 players and sound files. *Datura* Materials: hand-formed glass, steel, aluminum, powder coating Dimensions: variable White, lavender and green glass blossoms and yellow-green pods are mounted on painted steel “vines.” Custom rubber gaskets dampen any impact if handled or bumped by staff and visitors. Datura is made in multiple sections and is very flexible in terms of site and installation. Cartoon Gallery A cartoon gallery illustrated a more humorous relationship between plants and people. The Conservatory researched cartoons featuring carnivorous plants at Ohio State University’s Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum). The Savage Gardens Loan Program includes titles and sourcing information for an exhibit of these cartoons. Education & Interpretation Carnivorous plants have proven to fascinate as people learn how the plants lure, catch, kill and digest insects. The resourcefulness of these adaptive plants it is an extraordinary process to witness up close. Most are surprised to learn that many carnivorous plants are native to North America. Unfortunately, over 95 percent of their natural habitats have been destroyed, making our job to educate the public about these horticultural wonders even more important. Adult and student program concepts Educational field trip tour materials Educational brochure artwork Marketing and promotional materials Logo and advertising templates Video footage of the exhibit components Digital photographs of the exhibit components Sample press release Novelty and merchandising opportunities Requirements Proof of $1,000,000 general liability insurance and $300,000 property insurance required. Shipping requires one semi-truck; outbound shipping to be paid by host venue. Rental is for a four-month run. Exhibition has indoor/outdoor capabilities. For the four monumental sculptures, indoor display requires a minimum 18’ ceiling (flexible footprint). Please refer to the dimensions given above. For outdoor display, the seven Serracenia are fully indoor/outdoor. The Nepenthes and Drosera can be placed outdoors in locations protected from direct sunlight and extreme weather. The Venus Flytrap, due to the mechanicals, should be exhibited indoors. The TORK artists will provide consultation and guidance in site selection and preparation. Installation: The TORK artists will install the four monumental sculptures with required assistance of your staff assistance. Contact Brittany Guerra, Assistant Registrar,Franklin Park Conservatory 1777 E. Broad Street \| Columbus, Ohio 43203 614.645.1782 fax: 614.645.5921 \| bguerra@fpconservatory.org Images & Video Download a PDF packet (1.65MB) of Savage Gardens images and information. Watch a VIDEO (YouTube) of the B-52, the largest species of Venus flytrap closing. View a behind-the-scenes VIDEO (YouTube) of the Venus Flytrap sculpture being created. Media Link availability is not guaranteed, as these are online news publications. See Ohio News Network TV coverage of the exhibit Columbus Underground, “Savage Gardens Eating Up the Conservatory” Columbus Local News, “Savage Gardens will be a place where plants might bite back”