Curiosities

Terrarium fascination is and has been at fever pitch with no signs of waning in the plant world.

I see it in the classes I teach at Sprout, while my floral classes dwindle with a few students, the terrarium classes are jam packed. Classes and questions constantly being added and answered.

I totally see the appeal and satisfaction one feels getting together for a plant party and creating an enclosed world of ones very own.

Snow Cat Globe Terrarium By: Melissa Gorman

I especially think terrariums attract a NY'ers sensibilities, easy to maintain, (practically neglectful) small, a perfect green environment one can longingly peer into like the dollhouse a child wishes to call home.

Doggy Globe Terrarium By: Melissa Gorman

Since I completed my decorative arts midterm today I got to thinking... 

Myself and the other pained students are not the only ones who are going to learn this stuff.

So, may I please expound a singular decorative art thought as I hope it relates nicely to terrarium fever?

It was called the Kunstkammer, setting: Netherlands, date: 17th century

This was an age of exploration and discovery particularly for the affluent Dutch. (Don't get this confused with tulip mania, that was a century later) A fascination with the natural world and widespread interest in observing the strange natural beauty through scientific instruments: 

*Celestial Globe with Clockwork By: Gerhard Emmoser ca. 1579

precise renderings of flora and fauna:

 * A Study of Butterflies & other Insects By: Jan van Kessel ca.1655

and a desire to collect the exotic and unusual:

 * Nautilus Cup By: Jan Jacobsz van Royestein ca 1596

The goal of ones collection was to contain a microcosm of all that existed in the universe. The idea that God had placed man at the center of the world and had provided him with the means to achieve universal knowledge. All of this fascination lead to the study of natural magic, but by the mid-18th century scholars further classified the natural, human and spiritual wonders. Thus creating our separation of the arts and sciences. 

Back to my point...In a world of chaos isn't a terrarium a perfect way to gain control? While none of us would admit such delusions of grandeur as the 17th C. Dutch it sure is nice to have our own microcosm of a most perfect world. 

By: yours truly

Small But Mighty

...is all I can say for the latest terrariums i've been whipping up for the holidays. 

This one measures a mere 5" in height with a 1/2" opening

If you too would like to flex your terrarium skills what you need is:

1. Charcoal & Gravel to be placed on the bottom to act as drainage

2. Soil

3. A tiny plant with roots

4. Chopsticks to help manuver your tiniest of openings

(If you are less inclined to make your own we have oodles of them at Sprout Home)

* Give your terrarium bright but indirect sunlight, too much sun will cook your tiny plant!

P.S.  Any of you know the Guinness Book of World Records for tiniest terrarium? 

Architect Charles Gwathemy

The other day at Sprout I was asked to make a terrarium for a renowned architect who recently passed away,Charles Gwathemy.

While putting my plants and miniatures perfectly in place I began racking my brain back to my Architectural History days with Dr. David Gobel. Thoughts to one of the more painful courses in Architectural Theory and Criticism-then it came back to me...

Gwathemy mostly built homes for high profile clients in the Hamptons, but my favorite remains the place he built for is parents in Amagansett

His firm built the ICP

Last, and most controversial of projects was the condo he built on Astor Place.

A sense of relief over took me when I realized that not only would I never sit in another class of Dr. Gobel's, but that this architect would be unable to criticize my humble terrarium because he's dead.

Terrarium Galore

Being that this marks my third blog entry on the subject one can see I have a penchant for bio spheres.

I visited a recent show at Marianne Boesky Gallery in Chelsea to see the creations of Paula Hayes. In these parts Ms. Hayes is something of a cultural icon turing all that is green into fine art.

*Paula Hayes

While I think MY terrariums are ab-fab, and are just as eye catching (almost)

*Lea Wells

This woman Paula been blowing her own glass, building insance landscapes, and plant holders since  the '90's. Don't believe it? Check her site!

She's LEGIT

What we fail to remember in all of this terrarium trend is a throw back from the Victorians, then in the 70's they really put a spin on it!

Terrariums!

I was feeling terribly glum the day after my Palm Beach escapade, so I went for it and made these terrariums. It was super fun and I would love to show you how! I will be teaching a class on how to make these Thursday, April 2nd.

Sign up!

Thursday, April 2nd 6pm

I will demonstrate the steps for building an open terrarium, including planting mediums, plants that work together, and maintenance.

Sprout Home 

44 Grand Street (bet Kent & Wythe) Brooklyn, NY

p.s.  the class is free