HW pt 2: the garden

Japanese gardens are an art form. The paths are created to provide a walker with a wide range of views and contrasts - shade looking into light; light looking into shade. across the water looking at the water from the stones etcetc. There are also seats carefully situated to provide a sitter with the ultimate vista, heavy on the composition. Shukkein Garden in Hiroshima did all this. Although it is in the city centre, two minutes into the garden and you cannot hear or see the city in the slightest. The hobbity paths take you around and through the big central lake. There are old wooden boats moored here and there (I thought initially just for decoration but I reaslised the gardeners must use them to go into the lake and prune tend the little islands). One feels immediately at ease in the garden. It is the beauty but also the way people use it: they are relaxed. Little old ladies were sleeping on benches. Teenagers in enourmous clothes with rhinestones walk around chatting. Dads with cigarettes hanging out their mouths help their kids spot terrapins - of which there are many! I liked that it was ot an exclusive space, it is an utterly public one but, and here's the wacky part, these teenagers and dads with cigarettes are so respectful of the place that they wouldnt dare be boisterous or drop ash on the floor. An example of where letting your hair down and trashing the place are not synonymous. I always thought they were. I spent about an two hours in the garden: walking, spying on people and looking at views whilst quietly contemplating my cultural inferiority. when I had finished in the gallery I went back to the garden and ate an ice cream and read The Great Gatsby. It was a beautiful afternoon.

completely ruined me for the special exhibit.