Contrast ... Photo

Photographer’s Note

Last weekend I visited Hannover the regional capital of the German federal state Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony). One of the main places of interest there are the "Herrenhäuser Gärten" (Herrenhausen Gardens), one of the largest Baroque garden of Europe.
The Herrenhausen Gardens are made up of the Great Garden (Großer Garten), the Berggarten, the Georgengarten and the Welfengarten. The gardens are a heritage of the Kings of Hannover.

The Great Garden owes much of its aesthetics to Sophia of Hannover, who commissioned the French gardener Martin Charbonnier in 1714. As its name implies, it is indeed a large garden, comprising 50 hectares of lawns, hedges, walkways, and statues arranged in strict geometrical patterns. The centerpiece of the garden was once the Herrenhausen Castle which suffered immense damage during World War II. The castle's ruins were almost completely torn down after the war.

The Great Garden is also the site of one of the last works of the artist Niki de Saint Phalle. She modified the three-roomed grotto in the northwestern section of the garden, which had served as a store room in the eighteenth century, by adding various items, including crystals, minerals, glass and seashells. Between 2001 and 2003, when the exhibit opened, de Saint Phalle and her coworkers covered the walls and interior with mosaics of molded glass and mirrors. Two rooms branch off from the octagon-shaped central room, and on the front wall of each of them is a statue set within a small recession in the wall. De Saint Phalle's intention for this exhibit was that the visitors could use the grotto as a cool retreat on hot summer days while at the same time being enchanted by the decorations.

My picture shows one of the columns in this grotto.
In the workshop you can see parts of the walls there. The whole grotto is an amazing and nearly overwhelming work of art - and an incredible contrast to the Baroque gardens outside, which I'll show you the next days.

Using the map view function at the left you can zoom in (please click several times at +) exactly to the place of this grotto and around it the great gardens.
Contrat

Wandering_Dan, chinchini, mortijo, jlynx, hrschwartz, guillaumejm, riclopes, ahmet54, Muse, carper, jmcl, lestans has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

UnTrained (0) 2007-09-02 22:47

Guten Morgen Frank,
eine ausgezeichnete Aufnahme, die Mosaiken sind hervorragend zu sehen. Du hast dazu einen schönen Ausschnitt gewählt, der auch Struktur und Form zeigt. Herrliche Linien und Farben, alles voller Details.
Lieben Gruss, Ulf

snunney (35808) 2007-09-03 1:21

Hello Frank,
A lovely colourful composition of this interesting and fascinating mosaic work. Good pov and exceptional clarity.

jasmis (51283) 2007-09-03 3:55

Incredible element. Superb colours, interesting note.
Regards my dear friend.

chinchini (27917) 2007-09-03 3:58

Bonjour Frank,
Une vue partielle très intéressante des Herrenhäuser Gärten. Lignes et couleurs s'entrelacent agréablement.
Bien vu !
Mes amitiés depuis CALVI où l'été semble vouloir jouer les prolongations.
Pierre

mortijo (12522) 2007-09-03 4:43

Eine farbenfrohe Komposition, Frank. Die Notiz ist sehr inderessant.
Grüsse, John.

hrschwartz (698) 2007-09-03 7:16

Dear Frank,

Yet something else for me to learn about from you. This must be a very interesting place to visit.

Your photo has impact- attracting me to read the note. Good job.

TFS.
Randy

jlynx (11380) 2007-09-03 7:17

Hello Frank,
I admit, that first time I see something of the kind. As if stained-glass window, but if in the completely other, completely different convention. Here till it sparkles from colours, their interrelationships and penetrations. Simple work , but very nicely finished up in detail. This is this, what gladdens most. The excellent quality and splendid colours.
Best regards from rainy Poznan,
Jurek

stefanocer (10416) 2007-09-03 8:10

Really nice shot Frank , unusual from you , I like it very much , compliments .
Stefano.

guillaumejm (34) 2007-09-03 13:17

Hello frank,
The result is wonderfully graphical. And light is nice and gives vivid colours. When looking at the picture I first so the different lines and it took a little time to understand what it was representing.
I find it very artistic.
Best regards
JMarc

riclopes (33137) 2007-09-04 10:00

Olá Frank, spectacular artwork you show us here. I love the work of Niki and both WSs are fantastic and the one with your reflection is a funny one ;-) What a lovely place this must be for a visit. Thanks for sharing it.
Greetings from a sunny hot Lisbon with 27º :)
Ricardo

wolf38 (13153) 2007-09-04 10:10

Hallo Frank. Ein ungewöhnliches Photo aus Deiner kamera. Es erinnert mich etwas an die kunstfertigen Photos der Designer und Graphiker bei TE. Tatsächlich zeigst Du moderne Säulenornamente, zusammengesezt aus vielerlei Materialien. Mir gefällt diese Kunst sehr gut, - und das gleiche gilt für Dein vorbildliches Photo. Viele Grüße, Wolfgang.

ahmet54 (2263) 2007-09-04 12:28

Hallo Frank,
sehr gute Komposition dieses farbenfrohen Bildes. Es erinnert mich etwas an die Werke von Antoni Gaudi im Park Güell.
Viele Grüße aus Hamm,
Roland

Muse (31111) 2007-09-05 1:44

Bonjour Frank,
Tu me fais découvrir un endroit que je ne connaissais pas et que j'irai visiter volontier un de ces jours.
Superbe vue colorée de ces mosaïques de verre.
J'aime beaucoup ce genre de travail.
Très jolie photo et une série que j'apprécie.
Excellente journée
Denise

amaryllis (17986) 2007-09-05 12:59

superbes couleurs et contrastes de toutes ces couleurs claires et foncées et bon cadrage de celles-ci
j'aime beaucoup cette réalisation originale
juliette

carper (66108) 2007-09-06 4:01

I would go for your contrast shot here Frank,
the pov is unusual and nice, good quality, fine colours and good contrast, very good photojob here, have anice day.
gr.jaap

jmcl (14181) 2007-09-09 21:18

Hi Frank,

What a wonderful excerpt.
The shapes and textures are endlessly interesting .. the colors are beautiful and instantly striking. Wonderful image.

take care,

John

Stepan (27175) 2007-09-25 12:40

Finally, another kind of solid fireworks !! Good pov and close-up to have impact and graphism.
Stéphane

lestans (15546) 2008-02-29 23:47

Ciao Frank!! thank you for sharing this detail, it is gorgeous!
Sometime Niki's works are similar to Gaudì.
Nice picture, nice colors!!

Livia