Deciduous Art

Let’s deviate from your normal campus tour, (not that it’s not exciting) and walk behind the arbor running beside Cameron Ave where the art changes seasonally. In all honesty, you probably are wondering what “ununderstood art” is in Coker Arboretum. That’s just it, Coker Arboretum is what’s being missed.

How’s it a piece of public art?

Take a moment and think about all pieces of art you know; each piece of art contains elements such as color, texture and line that capture your attention. These sporadic features carry your eyes through the masterpiece taking you on a journey. Well, you’ve fallen into the chalk drawing now and can walk where those features lead you.

The Arboretum’s layout/paths take you through its main “sporadic” features that change every season. This art is always morphing from one picture to
the next. The main artist of this living masterpiece is none other than Dr. Coker himself, the original botany professor of Chapel Hill. (Basically he was a plant genius.)

When Coker began laying this area, it was originally designed as a showcase of plants for his classes. Little did he know when he did so, he began pulling on all your senses - or maybe he intended to do just that. From your insignificance beside the giant long leaf pine, to the sweet aroma flowing from the jasmine making your mouth water. There’s no escape.

The plants’ specific shade and water requirements were obviously taken into account (so they wouldn’t die) but they also were laid to compliment each other’s forms. Each individual bed was laid in mind of the plants’ textures and the natural lines of the plant. Soft round looking plants are enclosed by sharper turning edges. The contrast and alignment of the plants also provide photographers and artist of other mediums subjects for their works.

Not everybody can understand a 2-D piece of art. However, this life size work should provide insight of how the “average” public art is designed to carry you through giving you different sensations at different areas.