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September 15, 2006
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When the University of Minnesota's Landscape Arboretum put out a call for entries for a collection of "Secret Gardens," inspired by Frances Hodgson Burnett's well-known children's book, Chris Wegscheid had an idea that didn't include a single plant: build a body-sized camera obscura that would bring an ever-changing view of the arboretum into a secret indoor space.
The camera is a walk-in box with a single glass lens that projects an image of the outdoor activity onto a big blank wall. It is among 20 Secret Gardens chosen for construction at the arboretum. A team from Cermak Rhoades Architects, Frerichs Construction Company and Scherer Brothers Lumber contributed materials, design and construction skills to produce the box, which will head to the Science Museum of Minnesota in the fall for placement as an outdoor exhibit.
Since opening the exhibit early in June, the Eye Pod has captured the gaze and amazement of visitors aged 2 to 80. While at first it appears as an empty white box, we promise you'll join the chorus of "wows" after the doors close.
Go feast your eyes!
For those unfamiliar with the Arboretum, it's a 1,000 acre display and research garden in the southwest corner of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. The Arboretum is open daily from 8 to 6, with two exceptions. It is open until 8pm on Thursdays, and opens mid-morning, 10am, on Sundays.
See their website for more information on special programs, admission, and directions: www.arboretum.umn.edu