- GREENFUTURE -
GARDEN AS AN ART OBJECT: COMBINING PLANTS AND SCULPTURES

The use of sculptures in garden design has a rich history. In the ancient gardens of Greece and Rome, statues emphasized architectural grandeur and symbolized strength and harmony. During the Renaissance, garden ensembles became artistic compositions: fountains, marble figures, and intricate alleys created theatrical spaces for walks and social gatherings. In Eastern countries, such as Japan and China, stone figures and lanterns carried deep philosophical meaning, symbolizing wisdom and unity with nature. Today, designers often draw inspiration from these traditions, adapting them to modern contexts. In Kazakhstan, for example, gardens increasingly blend European classical styles with national motifs.

The success of a garden ensemble depends on the dialogue between living and static elements. A sculpture can serve as the focal point around which flower beds are arranged, or it may be hidden among shrubs, revealed only to the attentive eye. Conifers such as junipers or thujas provide an expressive backdrop for stone and metal figures. Ornamental grasses add dynamism, their swaying plumes enlivening the rigid lines of sculptures. Blooming plants like roses or irises soften the imagery and add romance. Proportions are crucial: a small figure will be lost beside a tall tree, while a massive statue may overpower delicate floral compositions. Professional landscape designers also take seasonality into account—spring blossoms highlight sculptures, summer greenery frames them, autumn foliage intensifies their decorative effect, and in winter, snow transforms the artwork into the focal point of the scene.

Modern technologies allow sculptures to be not only decorative but also functional garden elements. Today, art objects with built-in lighting create magical light displays in the evening, while fountain sculptures combine beauty with practicality. Minimalist structures made of concrete, metal, or wood fit perfectly into urban-style gardens, and the use of mirrored surfaces creates an illusion of expanded space. In Kazakhstan, solutions with ethnic motifs are gaining popularity: figures inspired by traditional ornaments, animal imagery, and symbols of nomadic culture. Increasingly, sculptures serve as the conceptual heart of a garden, embodying themes such as harmony between humans and nature or the connection between generations. Such artistic integration makes a garden truly unique and culturally significant.