Experience the Unexpected

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Experience the Unexpected

Explore New Jersey’s Grounds For Sculpture

by Maureen C. Bruschi

Imagine stumbling upon a threesome enjoying a picnic in the woods, two men in nineteenth century dress…and a naked woman. First you gasp after barging into such a private moment; and then you laugh. You realize you’re staring at Seward Johnson’s 3-D life-sized cast bronze and aluminum sculpture Déjeuner Déjá Vu, inspired by Edouard Manet’s 19th century risqué painting, Déjeuner Sur L’Herbe. Grounds For Sculpture in Hamilton, New Jersey, founded by Johnson, is filled with unexpected twists and turns and you’re invited to become part of it.

Don’t let the word sculpture frighten you away from an eye-opening day filled with plenty of smiles, out loud laughs, as well as moments of reflection, inspiration and relaxation. And there’s more to this 35-acre sculpture park than sculptures. Grounds For Sculpture’s exquisite indoor-outdoor museum includes galleries, courtyards, gardens, ponds, over 2,000 extraordinary trees representing more than 100 species, as well as over 250 realistic and abstract sculptures.

Where to start your journey through this landscaped paradise is up to you. You can begin with a self guided tree tour through the Eastern Garden and Red Maple Allee. After that, a quote attributed to baseball legend Yogi Berra best describes your next course of action: “When you come to a fork in the road take it.”

You’ll be glad you did. As you wander past remarkable sculptures, some nestled in secluded wooded areas, you’ll have a chance to explore a Grecian ruin, relax at a warming hut overlooking an amphitheater, examine a Bamboo Courtyard, sip a glass of wine by the Lotus Pond, and hop over stone paths winding through the Water Garden. Two 10,000 square foot galleries boast seasonal exhibits by both established and emerging artists.

Forest of the Subconscious hides a piece you won’t want to miss. A windy path surrounded by a thick maze of weepy pine trees leads you to designer jeans entrepreneur Gloria Vanderbilt’s “Heart’s Desire” sculpture. The items in this 6-foot tall Plexiglas box sculpture include dolls in a jar, a snake, a red crystal heart, a large doll with arms outstretched to a second armless doll, an arrow pointing to a skull, and dice. According to Vanderbilt, the items all represent feelings and emotions, such as hope, compassion, despair, grief, death, and money. It’s easy to see why this work has been described as both mysterious and disturbing.

But Johnson won’t let you stay baffled for long. His mastery at taking well-known nineteenth century paintings and bringing them to life continues in his Were You Invited? piece. This picnic scene depicts realistic sculptures based on Renoir’s painting, The Luncheon of the Boating Party. Here you can mingle amongst all the original Renoir figures from the painting and a few of Johnson’s uninvited guests. Sculptures of four men lounging at a table in the background (and definitely not in Renoir’s masterpiece), include Johnson and three others who have sculptures on the grounds. I’m sure French Impressionist Pierre Auguste Renoir and Edouard Manet would be pleasantly surprised and amused if they could enjoy their paintings today through the eyes of Johnson and his sculptures.

But surprised and amused are only two of the many emotions you’ll discover at Grounds For Sculpture. You’ll find a serious side at the Sculpture Pad where George Segal’s Depression Bread Line shows five male figures in line representing the economic suffering endured during the Great Depression. Near Rat’s Restaurant, Philip Grausman adds a touch of drama with his Leucantha, a large-scale woman’s head emerging from water. At the Water Garden, enjoy the complexity of Brower Hatcher’s Time Reversing, a stainless steel, brass, bronze and copper piece that draws the viewer in as the sculpture appears to glide naturally in space.

Oh, and one more thing. When you hear a woman singing a Carly Simon song near Rat’s Restaurant, be prepared as you peak around the corner. You’ll come to a sign that says “Employee Shower.” First you’ll gasp after barging into such a private moment…I guess I don’t have to tell you what happens next. Don’t miss a unique combination of nature and art at Grounds For Sculpture.

If You Go:

Grounds For Sculpture, 18 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton, NJ (use 126 Sculptor’s Way for GPS-accuracy) is approximately 3 miles east of Trenton, NJ. (access to Amtrack), 50 miles east of Philadelphia International Airport, and 60 miles west of New York City. Phone: (609) 586-0616.

Where to Eat:

Grounds includes Rat’s, a Zagat-rated country French restaurant offering lunch and dinner; salads and sandwiches at The Peacock; and drinks (including ice cold beer and wine) and snacks at the Gazebo café (open Friday through Sunday during warm weather).

Where to Stay: Hilton Garden Inn Hamilton, from $129, 609-585-6789.

Hilton Garden Inn Hamilton, Nj

General Admission:
Adults                                                           $12
Students (13+) and Seniors (65+)            $10
Children (6-12)                                           $8
Children 5 and under                                 Free

Hours of Operation: Open year-round; Tuesday-Sunday – 10am-6pm

Closed Mondays except Labor Day and Memorial Day; Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day (Grounds For Sculpture reserves the right to close to the general public for special events throughout the year.)

For Additional Information: www.groundsforsculpture.org

Picture Credits:

PC100050JPG - Pathway leading into the “Forest of the Subconscious.” Photo by Maureen Bruschi