As a vibrant pink sunset painted the sky, the Grammy-nominated Colombian Canadian singer-songwriter Lido Pimienta’s powerful voice soared, accompanied by the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra. The air, freshly cleansed by a timely rain, hummed with anticipation for the annual Concert in the Garden. Amidst the lush expanse of the Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) in Burlington, Ontario, just an hour west of Toronto, a new kind of harmony was also taking root: Ken Kelleher’s captivating new installation, Anchorball: A Curious Art Journey.
Where Nature Meets Imagination: RBG’s Artistic Evolution
Beyond its esteemed legacy in horticulture, conservation, and research, the Royal Botanical Gardens has increasingly embraced its role as a vibrant cultural hub. It’s a place where communities converge, not just for the beauty of nature, but for enriching experiences spanning art, music, and shared public moments. Zahra Noorani, RBG’s director of business development, eloquently describes this synergy: “Sometimes they intersect, and sometimes they simply coexist.” In the case of
Anchorball, the intersection is profound and delightful.
Established in 1941, with roots tracing back to Lake Ontario conservation efforts in the late 1920s, RBG stands today as Canada’s largest botanical garden, sprawling across more than 2,400 acres of meticulously cultivated gardens and vital nature sanctuaries. Looking forward, RBG’s leadership is committed to broadening its appeal, inviting a wider audience to discover it as a destination for outdoor art, wellness programs, seasonal festivals, and meticulously curated cultural showcases like
Anchorball.
Unveiling ‘Anchorball’: A Journey of Whimsy and Wonder
Anchorball
marks a significant milestone: the inaugural Canadian exhibition for acclaimed American artist Ken Kelleher. Kelleher has crafted a series of monumental, personalized characters, each imbued with its own story, specifically designed to interact with and enhance the garden’s natural splendor. Curated by Jeremy Freiburger, RBG’s cultural program development lead, the exhibition features 18 colossal sculptures, some reaching an impressive 12 feet in height.
These vibrant characters are strategically distributed throughout the gardens, inviting visitors on a unique walking journey. This isn’t merely a stroll; it’s an immersive experience where physical sculpture, natural landscape, and innovative digital media seamlessly intertwine. An integrated augmented reality (AR) component adds another layer of discovery, bringing animated digital works to life exclusively on-site, fostering a dynamic dialogue between the tangible and the virtual.
Sculptures in Conversation with the Landscape
Kelleher’s artistic interventions are deeply informed by the gardens themselves. In the Sustainable Rose Garden, whimsical sculptures emerge organically from companion plantings, creating unexpected visual delights. Elsewhere, brightly coloured forms artfully frame expansive vistas, or playfully peek out from between ancient, mature trees. The diversity of Kelleher’s creations is striking: from charming, cartoonish bunny-like figures to serene women’s faces adorned with floral coiffures, and even minimalist, monolithic blooms with elegantly curved stems.
Each character began its life as a 3D digital model before being meticulously brought to fruition as a fiberglass sculpture. The accompanying AR layer transforms the viewing experience, encouraging visitors to slow down, observe with greater intent, and perhaps, as the exhibition subtly suggests, even take a moment to truly smell the roses.
A Bold Step Forward for RBG
For Zahra Noorani, Anchorball represents more than just an exhibition; it’s a pivotal learning experience for the institution. “Anchorball
has definitely stretched us, but in the best way,” she reflects. “Bringing an exhibition like this to life meant learning how to work in new ways, building relationships with artists and creative partners, and finding ways for teams across the organization to bring their expertise together. Every project teaches us something, and this one has given us a lot of confidence in what we’re capable of taking on.” This ambitious venture underscores RBG’s commitment to pushing boundaries, enriching public engagement, and solidifying its place as a dynamic cultural beacon.
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