Germany: Hanover - Niki de Saint Phalle's art in the Historic Grotto of the Herrenhausen Gardens

The Grotto, which dates from 1676, is situated in the northwest corner of the Grosser Garten. Originally its three rooms were ornamented with shells, crystals and minerals to create a place of enchantment and refuge from the heat of the day. In the 18th century these decorations were removed and for many years the building was used as a store.

In 2001 a structural restoration started by which the interior was ornamented to designs by the artist Niki de Saint Phalle (1930-2002), a French sculptor, painter and filmmaker.

In 1961, Niki de Saint Phalle became known around the world for her Shooting paintings. A shooting painting consisted of a wooden baseboard on which containers of paint were laid, and then covered with plaster. The painting was then raised and de Saint Phalle would shoot at it with a .22 calibre rifle. The bullets penetrated paint containers, which spilled their contents over the painting.
After the "Shooting paintings" came a period when she explored the various roles of women.
She began to use her artwork to consider archetypal female figures in relation to her thinking on the position of women in society. Her artistic expression of the proverbial every woman was named 'Nanas'.

The grotto has an octagonal central entrance hall and the two rooms leading from it are decorated with mosaics of coloured glass and mirrors, pebbles and many painted fibreglass figures on the theme of the life of man and woman.
The spiral arrangement of the ornaments around the pillars in the entrance room symbolises Spirituality. The Mirror Room with its theme of Day and Life is a gallery of over forty figures representing almost every creative period of the artist. The Blue Room is dedicated to the Night and the Cosmos; brightly coloured female figures dancing in the deep blue heavens, reaching for the stars. The windows and doors of the Grotto are ornamented with grills inset with glass and mirrors also designed by Niki de Saint Phalle

Source:
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niki_de_Saint_Phalle
and the website: Herrenhauser Gardens
http://www.hannover.de/herrenhausen_en/grotte_english/index.html

more information:
http://www.nikidesaintphalle.com/

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Germany
• Hanover
• Hannover
• art
• artist
• Niki
• de
• Saint
• Phalle
• sculptor
• painter
• Nanas
• Grotto
• Herrenhauser
• Gardens

[BeteaMaia]

Thank you so for the wonderful pictures.

[maaswater15]

Thank you for your comment. I am glad you liked the video. Her art is just wonderful!

[6Heureka]

She was really a great artist. I have seen very often the Grotto, everytime when I show my friends from the foreign countrys the Herrenhäuser Gardens. They are always very impressed.

[maaswater15]

I agree with you about Niki de Saint Phalle. Me too, I was very impressed when I visited the Grotto.

[alancastrian]

Maria what can I say, excellent, interesting and informative. I have take the liberty to forward the link to a friend of mine living in Hannover. ****

[maaswater15]

Maurice, thank you very much for kind comment! The Grotto is really a beautiful place to visit, it has such a special atmosphere!

Have a fine day, Maria:-)

[maaswater15]

Thank you for comment Donni. She was a very special artist.

Have a fine week!

Hugs, Maria:-)

[donchisciotte62]

Thanks dear Maria for introduce me this amazing art!!

kisses

donni

[maaswater15]

Thank you Italo! I like her art, it is very special.

Best wishes, Maria:-)

[44ciccionet]

Unknown artist for me, but absolutely fantastic!!

Thanks Maria for sharing this special video!

ciao italo