Art and Light

Art and other decorative elements can be great additions to gardens, particularly ones that have an organic curvy form, since they’re relaxing to look at, but what’s designed to be seen but missed visually is a wasted opportunity.  If you consider a horizontal line at your eye level when your chin is parallel to the ground, you’ll find that your field of view, the range in which you’ll see art and ornaments and whatever else, is in a range that’s about 75 degrees below that line or about 50 degrees above it.

Art can also inspire awe and being awed can be a really good thing. 

When we feel awed we get along better with other people and act in a less self-centered way, are in a better mood, and our brains more effectively do any cognitive work asked of them, along with thinking more creatively.  We feel there’s more time available for whatever we’re up to when we’re awed, which is great for a place you’re likely to want to relax or hang out with others.

We’re awed by lots of different sorts of things, from spectacular landscapes to objects which were produced using incredible skill or workmanship. Something doesn’t have to be expensive to make us feel awed, just very, very impressive.  That means an extraordinarily sculpture in our garden  or dining room can be awe inspiring, as can the deck of a patio when the stones on its surface are arranged into a difficult to execute patterns.  You know when you’re awed!  The same thing can awe us time and again, so don’t worry about the “awe effect” evaporating before the ink has dried on the check that pays for it.

Let there be light… in your garden

If you decide to add artificial light to your yard or garden, warmish lights like candlelight (only use fire outdoors—or indoors—when it is safe to do so) will create a relaxing ambiance.  Best is when those warm lights are on tabletops or standing lamps, but hanging overhead is OK in a pinch.