Alice in Wonderland Revisited at the Atlanta Botanical Garden

July 15, 2019
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Among my favorite books as a child was the classic tale of Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. Last Friday I decided to reread it so I checked it out of the library. I have my own copy but it is among my books still stored at my mom’s house. Mental note: bring books back to Georgia.

For a few weeks, many commercials advertising that the Alice in Wonderland exhibit has been at the Atlanta Botanical Garden since May 11 has been aired on television. I learned that the exhibit would be on display until October 27, 2019; I made a note to take time to go.

Going to the Botanical Garden has been on my bucket list for a years. Although I had made myself a promise to go, I hadn’t yet. The television announcements inspired me so I decided to at least check out the times and the prices. Later that evening, while surfing the web, I learned that the next day, Saturday, was Educators Appreciation Day at the Gardens. Educators and a guest could get in free for the day. I immediately called one of my best friends who teaches to see if she wanted to go. I introduced her to you in my post, “Unexpected Friends.” I then checked with my daughter to see if she might want to go. She had just arrived back from a course in New York and wasn’t sure, but said she might. I understood, it was after 1:00 a.m. when she arrived home. All three of us had home-going services the next day, but decided to go after the services.

Okay, so I am not a professional photographer, hence fingers in from of lens without me realizing it. But the beauty of the Gardens inspired me to include the shot in this blog.

Wow! My first visit to the Botanical Garden was awesome. It was beautiful as if I really fell into a hole and came upon a botanical wonderland. I am so glad that the Alice in Wonderland exhibit wasn’t the first exhibit when you entered; it gave me an opportunity to become acquainted with the beauty the Gardens had to offer both with its plants, but also with other topiary-like sculptures that are advertised as making a comeback from 2018.

Love this facial expression!

As we approached the Alice in Wonderland exhibit, we could see the Madhatter’s hat from a distance. And once we came around the corner, the magnificence of the “White” rabbit greeting us in his full glory was enough to take one’s breath away while putting a smile on the face.

The Rabbit sculpture with his pocket watch welcome us

As we got closer we understood why the pond in which the sculpture sat was called the Skyline Garden Pond. The overlook gave us a beautiful view of the Atlanta skyline, which by the way is literally right down the street and around a few corners.

Because the Atlanta Botanical Garden is located in Atlanta’s midtown, visitors are treated to a beautiful view of the Atlanta skyline.

In the middle of the Skyline Garden pond, was what I like to call an impressive, 27-foot-tall “White” Rabbit which is really green. There he sat in an upside down umbrella. The rabbit, the umbrella, and the rabbit’s top hat appeared to welcome us in all their glory of colorful, living plants.

What a great view to get a photo of the gigantic White Rabbit.
the White Rabbit greets us from his pond.
My daughter and my friend, her godmother, sharing a moment at the beginning of the series of Alice in Wonderland sculptures.
Alice in Wonderland’s White Rabbit Sculpture greets his spectators, luring them from afar.
The green “White” Rabbit relaxes in his upside down umbrella.
The vibrant colors of the living plants planted in this sculpture is second to none.
  • Time to enjoy not only the Rabbit sculpture, but also the crazy chess game.
  • Side view of White Rabbit sculpture showing off his pocket watch.

Once we turned around 180 degrees the enormous chess games took our breath away. Not only by its gargantuan size, but like with the Rabbit, because of the intricate display of craftsmanship. We were awed by the inclusion of the 12-foot tall Red Queen’s playing card soldiers, the knights and the chess pawns, all decorated with plants.

A rare picture of me at the Botanical Garden. I am posing with my daughter. Hopefully the Red Queen won’t find me!
The enormous chessgame with the playing card soldiers, pawns, and heart-shaped trees are exquisitely presented and impeccably maintained.
The Red Queen’s territory is protected.
This playing card soldier is ready to protect, his job appears to be keeping the spectators to the exhibit off the sculptured work of art!
My daughter and her godmother trying to get in on the chess action.
My daughter standing with her seemingly perplexed godmother in front of the Red Queen’s heart-shaped trees at the chess game.
The beauty of the topiary-like sculptured gardens are impressive.
Without the presence of the Red Queen, the chess game almost appears welcoming. Game of chess anyone?
I love the expression on this sculpture; makes me want to hug it. However, I didn’t need to lose this head of mine.
Signs reminding us that exhibits are for viewing, not climbing or touching are posted throughout the exhibition area.
The third sculpture displays Alice Wonderland laying on the ground while the smiling Cheshire Cat watches over her.
My daughter in front of the sculpture of Alice sleeping on the ground while the Cheshire cat watches over her.
The Cheshire cat watches over Alice, dressed in her blue-dyed, mossy pinafore.
Impeccably crafted from head to toes.
A close up of Cheshire Cat.

The sculptures are designed by Mosaiculture International of Montreal. The creations are composed of metal frames, stuffed with soil and covered with living plants. It is reported that in January, a team of gardeners began stuffing and planting sections of the sculptures, working inside greenhouses, before transporting the sections of horticultural art to the Midtown garden in April. Staff at the Garden report that a team of six (6) horticulturalists maintain the exhibit.

I hope you enjoyed this virtual visit to Alice’s Wonderland. Please know these photos do not do justice to the exhibition; you need to see it for yourself. If you visit Atlanta between now and October. 27, consider a trip to the Atlanta Botanical Garden to see “Imaginary Worlds: Alice in Wonderland” Atlanta Botanical Garden is located in midtown Atlanta at 1345 Piedmont Ave., NE, Atlanta. The exhibit is open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. The cost is $18.95-$21.95. More info is at atlantabg.org.

As a final note of my Alice in Wonderland Marathon weekend, I must say that the book and the visit was later complimented by the movie airing on STZKHD. Yes, I read it. And the teacher in me prompted me to compare and contrast the book, the movie and the exhibit. Needless to say the visit compliments the book. Bringing it to life and providing an opportunity for me to be engaged and connected. And writing this post closes out my marathon weekend!

The only regret I have is that my husband, mom and son didn’t have an opportunity to experience the Gardens with me; they have never been. My other regret is that I didn’t video tape any of it. Since I can’t go back to yesterday, I know that I will return soon to record my experience and to see other parts of the Gardens that I did not see on this visit. My desire to see it all inspires me to return, as if the beauty didn’t. I am also anxiously awaiting to see new exhibits in the future. I think I am going to need a family season pass.

Engagement

  • Read the book and brainstorm what exhibit should be added to the display.
  • Create a Book Walk
  • Try to identify many different types of plants
  • Invite a horticulturist, botanist, florist and/or gardener to class as a guest speaker
  • Attend a florist

Connections

  • Take a trip to a botanical garden
  • Take a trip to any garden
  • Develop a beautification plan for your school, house or a local business.
  • Write letters to local florists asking for guidance, donations and other needed items to use on a beautification project for your community.
Persistence, Courage and Resilience, Travel, Uncategorized