Down the Allée and Over the Bridge
Posted in Exhibitions, Monet's Garden, Programs and Events on May 18 2012, by Matt Newman
If you’re looking to experience Monet’s famed garden at Giverny this weekend, you’re weighing two options. You can either book a flight for Saturday morning–over a thousand dollars out of pocket on short notice, and an eight-hour flight to Charles De Gaulle airport–or you can throw a few bucks on your MetroCard and hop the subway to the Bronx.
I’m personally not much of a jet setter; lighting off for Europe on a whim doesn’t stir the pot of my daily routine that often, and the occasional craving for a fresh baguette seldom boils over. Maybe the local option is a better bet. The father of Impressionism is here in New York, after all!
With three years in careful planning, and months spent coaxing each plant from seed, Monet’s Garden is now opening its doors on the most elegant collection of art–both living and preserved–that you’ll see this spring. Walk the Conservatory’s “Grand Allée” from the artist’s country home, through a particolored menagerie peppered with delphiniums and poppies, over the pastoral Japanese bridge and back again. In the galleries of the Library Building you’ll find letters, photographs, and a pair of original Monet paintings shining a light on the artist’s prolific life in Giverny. Films, workshops, events for the kids–our museum of plants is so much more.
Get your tickets online, then get yourself to the NYBG. Indoors or out, it’s looking to be a gorgeous weekend!
Saturday, May 19
Bird Walk – 11 a.m.
Meet at the Reflecting Pool
The diverse habitats of the Botanical Garden offer visitors a chance to see dozens of species of birds throughout the year. Bring your binoculars and walk the Garden grounds with our expert, Debbie Becker, searching for the birds of the season and learning about bird-friendly plants that provide food, shelter, and nesting sites. Rumor has it that several rare species have been spotted at the Garden in recent weeks, making now–with the perfect spring sun–the best time to get your birdwatching wings.
Azalea Garden Tour with ASL Interpreter – 12:30 p.m.
Meet at the Reflecting Pool in the Leon Levy Visitor Center
Join a Garden Docent for a guided tour of the 11-acre Azalea Garden, which offers an encyclopedic collection of the world’s azaleas planted along a broad hillside punctuated by rock outcrops and shaded by mature native trees.
Film Screening: Monet Double Feature
In Ross Hall
The Impressionists: Monet – 12:30 p.m.
This film is a look at the life and art of Claude Monet, the originator of “Impressionism.” Examine several paintings, location footage, and expert analysis. Also featured is footage from L’Orangerie and from Monet’s house and gardens at Giverny, plus special film shot at London’s Savoy Hotel, where Monet painted his famous views of London.
Monet’s Palate – 3:30 p.m.
Embark on a culinary tour of Claude Monet’s beloved Normandy, a region of France just north of Paris along the Seine River. This region inspired Monet’s passion for art and his passion for fine cuisine. Both of Monet’s palates met at this home in Giverny, surrounded by his beautiful gardens. This film, connecting the painter’s love of art, gardens, and his profound appreciation for food is introduced by Academy Award-winning actress Meryl Streep and features commentary from Alice Waters, Daniel Boulud, Michel Richard, and other renowned chefs. Screening of Monet’s Palate made possible by MonetsPalate.com.
Lecture & Book Signing with Elizabeth Murray – 2 p.m.
In Ross Hall
Elizabeth Murray is a garden designer, artist, and author who is well known for her work helping to restore Monet’s garden in Giverny and photographing it for 25 years. Join us as she shares historical photos of Monet, his paintings, and horticultural information, along with gorgeous photographs featured in her book, Monet’s Passion: Ideas, Inspiration and Insights from the Painter’s Gardens. The book will be available for purchase and signing following the lecture.
Home Gardening Demonstration: Monet’s Garden Through the Artist’s Eye – 2 p.m.
In the Perennial Garden
French painter Paul Cezanne described Claude Monet as “just an eye,” and exclaimed, ”but oh, what an eye!” Join Gardener for Public Education Sonia Uyterhoeven as she teaches you how to view your garden through the lenses of an Impressionist painter, mastering light and color on this opening weekend of the landmark exhibition, Monet’s Garden. This French-themed home gardening demonstration is part of Monet’s Garden, a stunning tribute to French Impressionist Claude Monet showcasing a seasonally changing interpretation of the gardens that inspired his art.
Monet’s Garden Tour – 2:30 p.m.
Meet at the entrance to the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory
Join one of the Garden’s docents for a tour inside the galleries of the historic Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, where horticulturists of The New York Botanical Garden bring to life stunning re-creations of Monet’s most iconic gardens at Giverny. In the Conservatory courtyard, the focus on the artistry of the great Impressionist continues with a display of water lilies.
Salon Series: Monet to Mallarme – 4 p.m.
In the Perennial Garden
Hear American poets reading their favorite French poets including Stephane Mallarmé, Arthur Rimbaud, and Paul Verlaine, while discussing the poet’s influence on their own work in this special Monet’s Garden series. Co-presented by the Poetry Society of America. These programs are made possible by a gift from the Leon Lowenstein Foundation, Inc.
May 19: The French Impressionist Poets: Introduction – Rosanna Warren, Bill Zavatsky, Mark Polizzotti, and Metta Sama
Sunday, May 20
Film Screening: Monet Double Feature
In Ross Hall
The Impressionists: Monet – 12 p.m.
This film is a look at the life and art of Claude Monet, the originator of “Impressionism.” Examine several paintings, location footage, and expert analysis. Also featured is footage from L’Orangerie and from Monet’s house and gardens at Giverny, plus special film shot at London’s Savoy Hotel, where Monet painted his famous views of London.
Monet’s Palate – 1 p.m.
Embark on a culinary tour of Claude Monet’s beloved Normandy, a region of France just north of Paris along the Seine River. This region inspired Monet’s passion for art and his passion for fine cuisine. Both of Monet’s palates met at this home in Giverny, surrounded by his beautiful gardens. This film, connecting the painter’s love of art, gardens, and his profound appreciation for food is introduced by Academy Award-winning actress Meryl Streep and features commentary from Alice Waters, Daniel Boulud, Michel Richard, and other renowned chefs. Screening of Monet’s Palate made possible by MonetsPalate.com.
Home Gardening Demonstration: Monet’s Garden Through the Artist’s Eye – 2 p.m.
In the Perennial Garden
French painter Paul Cezanne described Claude Monet as “just an eye,” and exclaimed, “but oh, what an eye!” Join Gardener for Public Education Sonia Uyterhoeven as she teaches you how to view your garden through the lenses of an Impressionist painter, mastering light and color on the opening weekend of our landmark exhibition. This French-themed home gardening demonstration is part of Monet’s Garden, a stunning tribute to French Impressionist Claude Monet showcasing a seasonally changing interpretation of the gardens that inspired his art.
Monet’s Garden Tour – 2:30 p.m.
Meet at the entrance to the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory
Join one of the Garden’s docents for a tour inside the galleries of the historic Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, where horticulturists of The New York Botanical Garden bring to life stunning re-creations of Monet’s most iconic gardens at Giverny. In the Conservatory ccourtyard, the focus on the artistry of the great Impressionist continues with a display of water lilies.
Chamber Music Concert: Monet’s Friends Featuring the Hartford Symphony Orchestra – 4 p.m.
In the Ross Hall
Musical performances by the Hartford Symphony Orchestra feature the classical composers of Monet’s time: Claude Debussy, Albert Roussel, and Gabriel Fauré. Special ticket required.
Featured artists:
Leonid Sigal (violin), Andrius Zlabys (piano), Patricia Daly Vance (viola), and Peter Zay (cello)
Program:
Albert Roussel: String trio, Op. 58
Claude Debussy: Violin Sonata in G minor, L140
Gabriel Fauré: Piano quartet No. 2 in G minor, Op 45
Ongoing Children’s Programs
Spring Fun!
Everett Children’s Adventure Garden, April 24 through May 18 — Weekdays 1:30 to 5:30 p.m.; Weekends 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Color bursts onto the scene as the season shifts to warmer temperatures. Enjoy the whimsical topiaries in their new spring outfits, pot up a seed to take home and care for, and go on a plant-part scavenger hunt through the winding paths. Wrap up your adventure at the pond, spotting frogs and turtles as they emerge from their winter rest.
Children’s Outdoor Nature Explorations: Observe and Create
Everett Children’s Adventure Garden, May 19 through September 30 — Weekdays 1:30 to 5:30 p.m.; Weekends 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Let your inner Monet run wild and be inspired by nature to create art in all its different forms. Movement, music, drawing and painting abound in this outdoor studio for children. Stop by Inspiration Station to play our outdoor marimba. Paint with water and experiment with colors in our Color Clash Studio. Step inside to experiment with the engineering behind aquatic plants. Nature is art–discover it at the Adventure Garden. Also on view: an exhibition by students from Studio in a School.
Hands-On Gardening Activities: Wild, Wiggly Worms
In the Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden, April 21 through May 18 — 1:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Learn all about our slimy friends and how they are hard at work in the garden. Feed the worms in our worm farm, and then sift nutritious worm compost to take home for your garden.
Salad Days
In the Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden, May 19 through June 15 — 1:30 to 5:30 p.m.
The “salad days” of the Garden year are here! The finale of spring is a bonanza of ripe roots, succulent stems, glorious greens, and a kaleidoscope of colorful–and edible–flowers. Use real plants and flowers to decorate a salad bowl collage. Learn tips on how to combine this array of plant parts into an assortment of salads and prepare a healthy dressing to take home.
Cooking demonstrations at 2 and 4 p.m. on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
