Nov 2, 20224 min read

Knitting at Laumeier Sculpture Park - St. Louis

Hey Crafties! Y'all know what inspires me most? Autumnal scenery! Earlier in October I had to venture out to Laumeier for an assignment and I thought it would actually be the perfect time to sit back enjoy nature and work on my knitting project.

Located at 12580 Rott Rd, St. Louis, MO, Laumeier is a sprawling nature park consisting of 105 acres. To go there was certainly an experience considering it was my first time there. After making my way up a scenic, winding road, the car emerged onto a parking lot that almost looks like the entrance to an orchard. There were a few hanger-like buildings surrounding the drive up and a couple of house-like office buildings with charismatic flower gardens and seating areas surrounding them. I made my way down some stone stairs to get down into the fields.

The first sculptures I encountered were the Bomibus by Mark Di Suvero and Eye by Tony Tasset. I didn't stay too long with these two, opting instead to go venturing further. Honestly, I was just trying to find a stone path for stable footing.

Once the path was located, I ventured further into Laumeier. I was mostly sidetracked by all the nature. I've always been a lover of wooded areas and like a child, I wandered through trees, discovering new installments along the way. Eventually, I found a shaded area with picnic benches and I rested there for a while. It was a breezy day so I didn't linger there long.

I decided to leisurely start walking off the path and further into a seemingly harmless clearing beyond the cluster of trees. Thankfully, I was able to see the inset concrete that was the next installation. Funny enough, I took this trip before I got my glasses in so, I took a few moments to ponder the shapes in the ground and it took a hot minute for me to realize that it was supposed to be a face!

This one is called Face of The Earth #3 by Vito Acconci. I found the placement choice to be interesting and was grateful that I wasn't touring the park in the late evening 😅. The more I observed it, I couldn't help but to relate this one to a vintage clown doll I used to have as a child. Both of them were creeptastic.

By this point, I realized that while the landscape offers set trails for visitors, the true experience of Laumeier Park is venturing off the trails and becoming immersed with the artwork.

I recall that later on in my journey, I stumbled across another installation on accident! It was nearly at the very back and I discovered it after I'd taken a knitting break at Mark Mennin's Cores for Laumeier Sit. I decided to trek toward the trail for the return journey and saw a little white placard by an innocuous separation in some trees. I remember standing there for a bit while debating whether or not to let my curiosity lead me here.

In the end, against my better judgement, in I went. The path was comprised of coarse gravel which offered a little extra adrenaline to the already sketchy expedition. I walked for some time before coming upon a dilapidated brick wall nestled amongst the vegetation. I was not expecting this structure to be a sculpture but alas, its name is Recess by Geoffrey Krawczyk. After taking this one in for a moment, I hiked up the steep and windy path which opened up into a clearing that I'd previously trekked through.

I stood there for a while to catch my breath and to also continue to take in the nature surrounding me. Autumn is my favorite time of the year because the blooming bursts of warm colors are awe-inspiring. Especially in a tree plentiful state like Missouri. I would have come here even without the sculptures being present, to be honest. But they do add a playful element to the property as the structures both blend in and offer some contrast at the same time. Though they obviously are not natural fixtures to the space, they feel as though they belong there.

It's a nice change of pace from art galleries and museums that are meant to keep the natural out and separate the art from outside elements. Both are necessary in their own ways though.

The last piece that I spent time with was Sugabus by Robert Chambers. It's bubbly, organic form had caught my eye before I found myself at Mennin's piece but I'd been eager to explore at the time so, I figured I would venture back to it. After I did, I learned that the structure was meant to be Cerberus constructed out the molecules that make sugar. It was a clever play on words in my view.

All in all, I had a wonderful time breathing in the fresh air and working a few of my stitches. In reality, I spent most of my time being captivated by my natural surroundings and talking to God. Before I knew it, I'd been walking around for nearly 2 hours and it was time to head back.

I was nowhere near exploring the whole park but, someday I'll go back to satisfy my other curiosities. I'm thinking that the spring will offer other unique and vibrant spectacles to enjoy!