It was a picture-perfect day in May when a group of about a dozen art and nature lovers trekked into the hills of the Djerassi artist colony in Woodside. The sun offered solace to winter-weary hikers, and whisks of feathery white cloud were painted on an intense blue sky.
The hikers had set out on a free “Walk in the Wild” sculpture tour, and were on the trail of about 20 pieces of outdoor artworks created over the years by participants in the Djerassi Resident Artists Program.
Guides Lauren DiCioccio and Debbie Steffin provided a running narrative of the history and context of the artwork encountered along the way, answering questions and inviting hikers to approach the artwork from different viewpoints — both literally and figuratively.
The artwork found in the woods and clearings of the spacious grounds represents a range of styles and themes, from the whimsical “Orpheus Coyote and Other Pieces” by William King — a grouping of elongated figures in a meadow, riffing on musical instruments — to “Untitled Landscape” by Alison Moritsugu, a painting in the style of Flemish Realism that depicts, on the end of a large log, the landscape in front of it.
There is a series of “Faeries” by Derek Jackson, images of wood nymphs and other mysterious creatures strategically placed to surprise the trail’s travelers. And there’s “Dialog” by Roland Mayer — two towering, open-weave structures made of redwood branches.
A number of the artists are content to have their work return to the land as time and the elements have their way, the guides explained. The log that now so strikingly offers an echo of the landscape will decay and crumble, and the faeries’ penetrating gazes will ultimately loose their force. Art does, after all, imitate life.
The Djerassi program offers sculpture tours from spring until mid-autumn to give the public a chance to view the 40-plus artworks on the private grounds. The artist colony is located on a 580-acre former cattle ranch off Bear Gulch Road. The program allows a handful of selected artists to live on the grounds for a month, free of charge, to pursue their art.
Information
The Djerassi Resident Artists Program offers sculpture tours through October: a series of 3-mile Director’s Tours at $40 per person, and a series of 2-mile free tours. Both include some strenuous hiking. The Director’s Tours include a stop for lunch; participants should bring a bag lunch.All tours require reservations. They begin promptly at 10 a.m. Director’s Tours are set for June 25, July 15, September 10 and October 28.
Free tours are set for June 15, July 2, July 13, August 20, August 31, September 24, October 5 and October 29.
To make reservations or to learn more, contact Allison Furry at 650-747-1250.
