Underground Fungus Garden Wins Gold at Hampton Court

Landscape Obscured by Dan LobbLandscape Obscured by Dan Lobb at Hampton Court Palace Flower Show 2011; Photo courtesy RHS

The first time a fungus garden has ever been exhibited at an RHS Flower Show.

An underground garden hiding a field of mushrooms has won Gold and Best Conceptual Garden at the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show. This is the first time a fungus garden has been exhibited at the show.

The garden, entitled “Landscape Obscured” is designed by fine art sculptor, Dan Lobb. To the untrained eye, the garden appears to be an open expanse of grass but on closer inspection and through the help of periscopes positioned at differing heights, an entire underground fungus world is revealed. Boasting an almost fairytale-like quality this unique forest landscape displays a wide variety of fungus, moss and liverworts.

Having studied for a BA (hons) in Fine Art Sculpture at Winchester School of Art in 1998, Dan Lobb has an extensive background in working with sculptural installations; from his own caravan based installation ‘The Grange’ to set designs and construction across a range of theatres and museums. Going on to complete an MA in Landscape and Garden Design at the Oxford College of Garden Design/Inchbold School of Design in 2007, Dan has since both designed and built gardens for private clients. Currently a part time teacher at the Arts University College, Bournemouth, Dan also works closely with The House of Fairy Tales; an artist lead group aiming to promote creativity and learning through play.

The Hampton Court Palace Flower Show has a strong reputation for pushing the boundaries of contemporary garden design and this year’s nine Conceptual Gardens, a record breaking number of provocative new designs, are no exception. The Conceptual gardens offer a fusion of art and horticulture and are renowned for challenging traditional thinking.

The mushrooms have been specially grown for the show by Fundamentally Fungus. On the last day of the show the mushrooms will be cooked and eaten.

5 – 10 July, Hampton Court Palace, Surrey, KT8 9AT
Tickets from £14.50 - £32.50. Children under 16 free with an accompanying adult
To buy tickets:www.rhs.org.uk/hamptoncourt 0844 338 7528

 
 

Article posted on 05 Jul 2011.

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