Sunnyvale to Baddeck: Day 19: Meijer Sculpture Garden

The setting for our Holiday Inn in Grand Rapids is very interesting and rather attractive as well. Across Pearl Street, one of the oldest and most used city streets, is the Gerald R. Ford Museum, which is planted at the rear of a green city park with fountains and a little sculpture. Across Front Avenue from the motel is the Grand Rapids Public Museum, a handsome newish building containing various historical artifacts. Down Front Avenue behind the hotel is a branch of Grand Valley State University. These institutions have paths of various types down to the Grand River, which is modest but swiftly flowing. Beyond the river is a metropolitan skyline, though compact: a very imposing glass tower houses the J.W. Marriott Hotel, and there are a dozen other impressive high-rises. It is a great area for a morning walk.

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is a huge asset to the community of Grand Rapids. It offers art, nature, exercise, and a special garden for the kids. At 133 acres, it has enough space for a lot of people to recreate in different ways without interfering with each other. And the sculpture collection is top-notch. The park was founded by Frederik Meijer, the owner of a supermarket chain, based on his own collection. (Note: Fred Meyer of the Oregon chain was not related to Frederik Meijer of Michigan.)

Frederik and Lena Meijer, founders of Meier Sculpture Garden
by A. Joseph Kinkel, b. 1950

The day we were there was warm and relentlessly gray. The humidity made walking a challenge. We started with a guided tram tour. The guide was well-informed, succinct, and patient.

Guide with sample of Desert Rose

Disk in the form of a Desert Rose, 1994
by Arnaldo Pomodoro, b. 1926

The tour gave us an idea of the size and organization of the park, and got us excited about the photo opportunities, so we re-did the whole place on foot.

The entrance hall and the cafe had wonderful works by Dale Chihuly.

Dale Chihuly, b. 1941

The entrance to the park was marked by this dramatic work by Tony Cragg.

Tony Cragg, b. 1949
Bent of Mind, 2005

Each sculpture has a special setting, with complimentary planting.

Deborah Butterfield, b. 1949
Cabin Creek, 1999

Mark di Suvero, b. 1933
Scarlatti, 2000

The centerpiece of the park—located on its own vast lawn, and a gathering place for children and picnickers as well as art lovers—is a monumental horse. It is a recreation of Leonardo's legendary model of a horse that he did for the Sforza palace in Milan.

Nina Akamu, b. 1955
The American Horse, 1998

The sculptor Roxy Paine is well-known for his shiny replicas of trees. But the work shown here, in a garden full of trees, depicts the branching form of a neuron, using discarded tubing from laboratories.