Moss Art Reverie | Wandering the Lost Gardens of Heligan
/Lately I find myself more and more distressed while traveling the paths of unnerving political, economic and ecological dramas rather than finding the serenity and peaceful connection to earth and to each other.
Recently my friend shared a blog page about moss art and I was off in other worlds of soft green landscapes, earthen sculpture and discarded items carefully groomed to a natural glory as well as modern uses like biodegradable carpets and mats. It seems anything is possible. Enjoy. Lisa
The Giant’s Head, Mudmaid and Grey Lady wait to be discovered along Woodland Walk. This sheltered path comes to life as these woodland sculptures reveal themselves, emerging silently from the beautiful natural landscape. – The Lost Gardens of Heligan
Since they obtain all their nutrients from the air (moss has no true roots), moss plants require nothing more than shade, acidic soil, and adequate moisture to flourish. All moss plants need is a firm soil bed in a location with adequate shade. It is also imperative that the area in which moss plants will be grown is blown or swept clear of any existing plants, leaves or debris. Moss also seems to prefer poor quality soils with low nutrient levels. - Moss Acres
Moss has been used in Japanese Zen gardens for centuries, the earliest of which originating in ancient Japanese rock gardens. In Japan, each element in the Zen garden is symbolic; stones represent mountains, sand represents water, and moss represents islands in the Japanese Zen gardens. The moss and stone are organized into groupings and placed into the sand; often times they correspond to actual settings. Using a highly stylized method, designers of Japanese Zen gardens seek to duplicate the tranquility of nature, and, through meditation, take the viewer of the garden to a peaceful place. When one witnesses a Japanese Zen garden, it is very easy to see why moss is used this way. The calm, vibrant green plant creates a wonderful mood and is able to connect anyone to nature through its tranquility. - Moss Acres
When Leonardo da Vinci’s pupils were stuck for inspiration he advised them to make a study of a crack in the wall, and it’s true that when you spend time engaging your imagination with such a crack, all sorts of possibilities and new worlds may begin to appear… -Stories From Space