Modernist Delight: The Decordova Museum’s Art Gardens

Nestled in Lincoln, MA, one of Boston’s quietest most rural-feeling (though not actually rural) suburbs, the Decordova museum and sculpture park brings contemporary outdoor art to New England. Combining a visit with an exploration of the large collection of modern homes found in the surrounding town provides a full day of modernist inspiration.

Gropius house, the personal home of Walter Gropius, founder of the Bauhaus movement and The Henry B. Hoover House are both nearby and anchor a collection of over 70 modernist homes built in this woodsy neighborhood between the late 1930s and the 1960s.

The DeCordova Museum Landscape Art Museum

The Decordova Museum has an interesting architectural history. Its main building is a Spanish-inspired castle that sits atop a hill overlooking a nearby pond. It was originally built by Julian de Cordova (1851-1945), who traveled the world collecting art and anything that struck his fancy. This home has since been converted into an art museum surrounded by over thirty acres of sculpture park. All the collections are constantly rotating, making it a great choice for regular visits.

The gardens of DeCordova extend over 20 acres and are thoughtfully curated gardens around the stunning contemporary art installations. Visitors can immerse themselves in a unique blend of nature and artistry. You can explore winding pathways, tranquil ponds, and lush greenery at this hidden New England gem in Lincoln, Massachusetts.

ence pence by ursula von Rydingsvard is made with cedar beams but reminds me of some a lava flow.

At first glance and from a distance, I thought that Ursula von Rydingsvard’s ence pence was an outcropping of puddingstone. It is, however, a bit outside the range of the Roxbury Conglomerate. On close inspection, you realize this is a touchable wood carving.

Our visit in late August coincided with a significant drought in New England and subsequently the grass was not its usual lush green. I suspect in a wetter year, a greener softer frame would highlight all the pieces even more. Nonetheless, my thirteen year or and ten-year old found plenty to enjoy and explore.

decordova-by-rochelle-greayer-11 — The de Cordova Museum and Sculpture Park is a renowned art institution located in Lincoln, Massachusetts. Founded in 1950, it showcases contemporary art and outdoor sculptures in a picturesque setting. Visitors can explore a diverse collection of works by both established and emerging artists, making it a must-visit destination for art enthusiasts.

decordova-by-rochelle-greayer-14 — *Are You Here? by Johnathan Getelson*

Johnathan Getelson’s Are You Here? billboard is near the entry to the park. Its play on the more common phrase ‘You Are Here’ makes everyone think they are dyslexic for a moment before they realize the point is obviously to remind us to pay attention to our immediate surroundings.

decordova museum by rochelle greayer www.pithandvigor.com — *Images clockwise from top left: Rain Gates by Ron Rudnicki, Eternal Presence by John Wilson, Beacon by Stephanie Cardon, Otter by Rona Pondick, and Requiem for the 20th Century by Nam June Paik*

The collection is eclectic and interesting and ever-changing. Depending on when you visit, you may see a variety of pieces that are very different than what I am sharing here.

The art collection ranges from naturalistic sculptures like Rain Gates to classical pieces like Eternal Presence. We loved Beacon for its colorful simplicity interesting shadows. We pondered the point of Requiem for the 20th Century as it had a certain iconic quality that we were all drawn to. And we all agreed that Otter, by Rona Pondick, was just about the creepiest garden creature we’d ever hope to never see in living form.

decordova-by-rochelle-greayer-25 - Dewitt Godfrey's huge corten steel rings — Dewitt Godfrey’s huge corten steel rings tumble down the hillside of the decordova sculpture park and museum on Sandy Pond Road Lincoln, MA.

Dewitt Godfrey's huge corten steel rings decordova-by-rochelle-greayer-26 — You can walk though and around Dewitt Godfrey’s huge corten steel rings.

decordova-by-rochelle-greayer-21 — I think this is Bauhaus Corten – a modern architectural style that combines the minimalist design principles of Bauhaus with the rustic appearance of Corten steel. This fusion creates a unique aesthetic that is both sleek and industrial.

Our favorite sculpture is the centerpiece of the whole site. Dewitt Godfrey’s huge corten steel rings seem to tumble down the hill in a sculpture titled Lincoln. Without it, the Decordova museum would not be the same. I can only assume the piece was made for the site as it perfectly fits the landscape.

Mobius at decordova-by-rochelle-greayer-4 — Above: Möbius by Robert Perless

Inside the castle there are a few traditional art galleries. Jeff Perrot’s oil painting, RW1 (Crux) mesmerized us as. One continuous path swirls the canvas while changing color and we had to trace it to ensure that in fact, the artist kept to his brief.

The current exhibition, titled Overgrowth, explores how artists represent prolific growth, expansion, and transformation in the natural world. As a gallery theme, it marries well with the theme of the whole museum. I assume future exhibitions will also tie in with topics of nature, the environment and contemporary art and culture.

I find so much inspiration in art galleries; not only the paintings but sometimes even in the postcards in the gift shop. They all seem to find their way into my own ideas of magazine and art making.