The pieces are quiet, the subject is rich and beautiful. I am only the guide who creates the context. In recent years outdoor sculpture has been steadily increasing in popularity. Technological improvements and the maturing talents of American sculptors have brought forth an excellent selection of work. John Agnelli, Lely's president, estimates that the horses received in excess of 40,000 visitors in the first eleven months.
Public art can say much more for the corporation or institution than volumes of advertising.
These factors, along with the excellent sculptures available today, are behind the many new monuments we are seeing. Landscaping trends that encourage outdoor living spaces and water conservative planting have also had an impact on sculpture. Today's gardeners are increasingly sophisticated and the addition of fine art to their creations is part of the evolution. Life-sized animals, adult figures and sculptures of children can easily be incorporated into any landscape, and a simple waxing twice a year is all the maintenance that is needed. Rain, snow frost and sunset reflections add new dimensions.