The Franconia Sculpture garden is one of these things that belong to Minnesota -even if located at the very border with Wisconsin. An untrained eye may be surprised, shocked. "What is this sub-Californication piece of art doing here?" Yet, reasonable thoughts because being at this sculpture garden is like walking in the moon after getting high with a cocktail of cocaine with acetone. Huge monuments made of trash scavenger hunts and treasures of unknown times. Unreal abstract and surrealistic art made of shapes and colors that you cannot find in nature. Hundred of sculpture and resident artist contributing with an community project that began in 1996. This is Minnesota.
As mentioned above, this sculpture garden is located in the Minnesota-Wisconsin border, near to Taylor Falls but almost one hour away from the Twin Cities. A lovely Sunday trip, if you ask. The Franconia Sculpture garden is a artistic park overwhelmed by creations and crafts that are usually made by resident artists who engage in a project that is left at the park. Take that into account when you visit. You are walking across a journey of 25 years.
Franconia also reflects time and the surrounding social challenges beyond the borders of this sanctuary. There are strong recent structures just made in 2021 about housing issues and police brutality. There are also ongoing political statements about feminism and migration. The place invites you to become part of a inter generational dialogue. Everything inside looks futuristic but a lot of the creations were made over 10-20 years ago. To be able to approach hundred of sculptures from different angles and phase is a crazy experience. I even felt overwhelmed with the possibilities I could take in every photo.
The sculpture park constantly engages with the community. They host
guided-visits and also events with certain sculptures, including moon
dancing and other weird shit -don't take me wrong, I'm attending the
next moon dancing for the sake of unknown.
Perhaps, the most appealing aspect of the place is that it is constantly evolving. Organic growth. After visiting for the first in time in winter, I made my mind of coming often. Twice or three times a year? To enjoy the change of stations and the new sculptures in place. There is supposed to be one or two new sculptures per year belonging to the artists that is making the residency at the time. I saw all sculptures surrounded and even impregnated in snow. It was wonderful. Sometimes, the sculpture would partially or completely covered in snow. Some of them will be half or completely rusted (tetanuuus shot time. Just kidding, you cannot touch any way). It makes the place very much alive.
Again, we are talking about hundreds of sculptures. Some of those are several feet tall. Hiking at Franconia is like moon-walking in Mars. A science fiction tale mixed with reality. I can bet money that this place will not leave you motionless as it is intriguing and fun. Very much, one of these Minnesotan venues that you cannot miss. I also found it a place of inspiration as every sculpture invites you to make up a new story of its meaning. Very much like living the very dream of speculative literature.
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