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If you are afraid of the Warsaw hustle and bustle and you think there is nothing special there and around, let me suggest an alternative destination to those of you who look for a moment of peace and would like not only to experience it, but also preserve this peace of mind after leaving the place. Let me invite you to Juan Soriano's Sculpture Park, a sublime combination of nature and art in the forest enclave of Owczarnia. Just 30 kilometers away from Warsaw. When you reach the gates to Juan Soriano's Sculpture Park, you are welcome by a large silver plate with information about the founders of the park. The Foundation of Juan Soriano and Marek Keller and the Embassy of Mexico in Poland. Mexico seems to be the key to this remarkable place which expalins a lot about its unique character. You will for sure not find another such place in the area as Juan Soriano's Sculpture Park. This sense of Mexican touch is very strong here from the very moment you reach the impressive gates already recalling of a hacienda type of destination. As you follow the linden alley leading to the heart of the park your eyes already get caught by the sight of the first sculpture of the cow in the light of the alley only to be naturally recaptured by the view of the dynamic sculpture of the bullfighter and his realistic adversary on your left hand side. In my opinion, this set of sculptures, I named corida, is one of the most powerful in its magnetism from all of the sculptures you will see in the park. I took me a longer while to admire the bullfighter's dynamism from all sides, I continued my walk down the path through the woods pondering upon the nature of this sculpture only to return to it again at the end of my walk and still not to be able to grasp it. This dynamic vision often comes up my mind and stands in front of my eyes. A walk thorugh Juan Soriano's Park is an occasion not only to admire the unique works of art, but also to contemplate nature. The park is rich in many charming spots similar to the one above. It is one of my favorite spots where you can lean against the round pillars on the small bridge over a a babbling stream winding in the surrounding woods. Another one is one of the many benches situated on the path along the large pond, from where you can admire a nice view on a small gazebo amidst the pond on the other bank. Quite a secluded part of the park where you can enjoy a moment of solitude only to be disturbed by hunting fish the pond is abundant in. A walk further down the path leads straight to the gazebo. Upon the entrance you are welcomed by the defiant look of the siren in bronze. I guess many women could see themselves in her like in a mirror and possibly realize the remarkable power they have over men thanks to their beautiful charms. She seems as if she tried to tell you: "You are nothing to me, but I want you to admire me." The gazebo is shelter not only to a stunning viewpoint of the pond, its green surroundings and the water busy with colorful fish, but also to a hammock, where you can take a real rest and listen to the sounds of nature. After this moment of relaxation I am finally ready to meet the challenge of confrontation with high art. Juan Soriano's Sculpture Park is famous primarily for the bird sculptures. There are the main theme of most of the sculptures you will see here. After a while you will, however, discover that much more abstract questions stand behind these birds. The question of origin of life. Of fertility. Of reproduction. Of birth. The above shown scuplture of the hen attracted my attention, because it stood out from the others. A hen? - I thought - What does a hen have to do with all these majestic birds? Only then I connected this sculpture with others of similar theme - origin of life, fertility, reproduction. I still ponder over the mystery behind the question why chicks do not hatch from all eggs. Maybe I have not found an answer to my question here, but yet another visual clue that might bring me closer to solving my question. The sculpture of the hen also reminded me of the x-ray tradition in the art of Australian Aborigines. Sexuality is yet another question Juan Soriano tries to tame... for... in us?! I have never been in Mexico, nor have I ever studied Mexican culture, still I have this feeling that there is a big gap that distances Mexican and Polish cultures in terms of attitude to sexuality. I guess Mexican culture has a much more relaxed attitude to it. Personally, I do have a very conservative attitude to sexuality. I often feel insulted and ashamed by the way Polish contemporary culture, art, media use it. Juan Soriano takes a much more subtle approach to this subject in his works. Not so insolent. The pathway leads the viewer along the works in such a way that the subject is introduced gradually and naturally starting from apparently innocent representations of birds through allusions to origin of brith to end with strong accents of sexuality and fertility. A walk thorugh the park ends naturally in a flowery garden with decorative white benches that invite you to sit down and take a moment of reflexion. It is also possibly the best moment to admire the corrida which gains on drama in the last rays o the setting sun. Official webpage of Juan Soriano's Sculpture Park: http://soriano.pl/
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POLAND FOR BEGINNERS
Hi! My name is Victoria. Welcome to my personal travel photoblog about Poland created especially for you, my foreign friends, who are curious about Poland!
ABOUT MEEnglish philologist and film editor by education. Translator by occupation. A lover of my motherland Poland and globetrotter with journalist ambitions. Passionate about photography. I love traveling, active way of spending time and contact with nature. Experience and explore - that is what drives me! I am on the look for happy islands. Archives
March 2019
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