past outdoor art exhibits

Kizuna: West Meets East

May 05, 2012 to November 04, 2012

Working in the versatile medium of bamboo, installation artists Tetsunori Kawana and Stephen Talasnik created large site-specific works for the Gardens. In addition to these ephemeral artworks, Denver Botanic Gardens proudly unveiled the newly expanded Japanese Garden, Shofu-en. The expansion includes the additions of the Bill Hosokawa Bonsai Pavilion and Tea Garden, while living displays illustrate the diversity of bamboo species.

Native Roots | Modern Form: Plants, Peoples and the Art of Allan Houser

May 01, 2011 to November 13, 2011

Visitors were able to explore works by American modernist Allan Houser (Warm Springs Chiricahua Apache, 1914-1994) in this outdoor sculpture exhibition at the Gardens. Houser’s work serves as a springboard for exploring the preservation of cultural and botanical heritage. This pioneering 20th century personality opened doors for future generations of Native artists.

Moore in the Gardens

March 08, 2010 to January 31, 2011

This landmark exhibition of 20 monumental works by the internationally acclaimed British sculptor, Henry Moore (1898-1986), showcased the modernist’s reclining figures, interlocking and abstracted forms. Moore in the Gardens was the first presentation of the British sculptor’s monumental works offered in the American West. This powerful exhibit highlighted the inspiration Moore found in natural environments, emphasizing the relationship of humanity to the natural world. Co-curated with the The Henry Moore Foundation.

Jurassic Gardens: From Evolution to Extinction

April 17, 2009 to September 30, 2009

This exhibit highlighted plant and animal relationships of prehistoric proportions. The show presented 26 life-sized dinosaurs from the Cretaceous and Jurassic periods while showcasing prehistoric plants and their modern relatives. By walking among the dinosaurs visitors could learn how these ancient creatures adapted to their environment—and how their environment adapted to them. In collaboration with Lost World Studios.

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