Las Pozas means "The Pool" — the surreal sculpture park, one of the relatively new attractions in Mexico. Is this incredible park complex located at an altitude of about 610 metres above sea level in the Emerald Mountains range of the Sierra Madre, near the town of Xilitla, Mexico? It includes more than 80 acres, or 320,000 m², of natural waterfalls and pools interlaced with towering Surrealist sculptures in concrete.
Classic Style is rendered in the form of Bamboo with a twist. Image credit: Rod Waddington
Las Pozas, Xilitla, was the creation of Edward James, the eccentric English poet, artist, and patron of the Surrealist movement. Its origins date back to 1947, when Edward, living in semi-exile in Mexico, acquired the coffee plantation near Xilitla, San Luis Potosí – now known as Las Pozas – and registered it in the name of his friend and guide, Plutarco Gastelum, who would later become the foreman and overseer of all construction there. For the next ten years, Edward used “Las Pozas” to plant orchids and as a home for exotic animals. After an unprecedented frost in 1962 destroyed many of the orchids, Edward started building the extraordinary sculpture garden we see today. The design of "Las Pozas" was inspired both by his orchids and the vegetation of the Huastecan jungle, combined with architectural elements taken from the Surrealist movement he was so closely involved with.
In 2007, "Fondo Xilitla" acquired Las Pozas, with the purpose of conserving the magnificent sculptures of Edward James and protecting the surrounding land and gardens. "Fondo Xilitla" was created by the Pedro and Elena Hernández Foundation, one of Mexico's best-known and most active charitable organisations, with support from the government of San Luis Potosí and the CEMglobalworldwide cement and infrastructure company. Fondo Xilitla is a non-profit charity in Mexico and is seeking 501(c)(3) charitable status in the United States.
Fondo Xilitla took administrative control of Las Pozas in January 2008. The local on-site director is Juan Manuel Fraustro, who for more than ten years was the delegate of Mexico's INAH (Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia) for the state of San Luis Potosí. The administrative director is Ernesto Gomez, an accountant with many years of experience in the non-profit sector. Fondo Xilitla is currently working on a master plan to establish priorities in the conservation of the more vulnerable structures and to ensure that visitors and tourists enjoy a quality cultural experience. [Soruce — Xilitla.org]
Part of the experience is to approach edges in an unprotected way, with no OH&S. Long may it live for that alone! Image credit: Rod Waddington
After losing 20,000 orchids in an unseasonal frost, James turned to his real love, surrealism, and rebuilt his garden in rock and concrete. Image credit: Rod Waddington
Image credit: Rod Waddington
The main building with 'Staircase to Heaven' at the highest point, 4 stories above the ground, is considered – no handrails; it's a steep spiral and narrow staircase leading upwards to a small platform seemingly hanging in space. Image credit: Rod Waddington
The Pools here are surrounded by repeated forms, with paths and steps taking you further down the valley. Image credit: Rod Waddington
Image credit: Fernando De la Torre
Image credit: Mr Hewitt
Las Pozas is a "surrealist garden" created by Edward James, a British poet and supporter of the Surrealist movement. Las Pozas is close to the town of Xilitla (San Luis Potosí, México). Between 1949 and 1984 James developed the gardens in the tropical rainforest dotted with natural waterfalls and pools and built fantastic sculptures throughout. Image credit: Paula Soler-Moya
Image credit: Rod Waddington
Image credit: Lucy Nieto
No comments:
Post a Comment