It was a one of a kind event at Woodward Academy Wednesday as renowned Peruvian sculptor Margarita Checa addressed students and presented her creation, “Doors of Perception II,” on loan to Woodward by the new Le Jardin residential development in south Fulton.

Checa spoke with students about her work, addressing the philosophical, even spiritual, aspects of her endeavors, adding that many of the ideas for her sculptures come to her in dreams. Looking for symbolism in those dreams, Checa said she was inspired by the common tenets in myths from cultures around the world. Though much of her work reflects the concepts and traditions embraced by the people of many lands, Checa insisted that her sculptures had at their point of origin something interior to herself, something personal and introspective.

“We have to surpass our own humanity to touch others,” Checa said, challenging the thought process, even the worldview, of the young people in the audience.

Outside the auditorium, workers were positioning Doors of Perception II in a courtyard area. It was no meager task. They worked patiently and deliberately to place the 15-foot, 3,000-pound bronze sculpture securely in its place.

Watching the placement after leaving the auditorium were Steven Macauley and Brian Jordan, partners in the Le Jardin development. The sculpture will find its permanent home at Le Jardin a year from now. But for now, its temporary residence will be at Woodward Academy. Macauley commented on the selection of Woodward.

“We had a period of time where the site was not going to be ready for the sculpture and we thought about where she could spend the year, where she would have the most profound impact,” Macauley said. “One of our core beliefs with Le Jardin is that we bring art into the community around us, to share it with the community. Through our alliances with the High Museum and with the Botanical Garden and others, the focus is on children and helping our young people become more aware of the power of art. And since Woodward is in the neighborhood and it’s the largest private school in the country we saw an incredible opportunity to expose the here students to this fabulous work. So she is here on a sabbatical for a year and then she will be working at Le Jardin.”

The Lowe Gallery owner Bill Lowe was also in attendance at the ceremony. Lowe has represented artists worldwide for more than 20 in his galleries in Atlanta and Los Angeles. It was his collaboration with Jordan and Macauley that brought Doors of Perception II to its new home.

“We were approached by Steven and Brian who had decided to build Le Jardin around a whole new concept, art and gardens,” Lowe said. “They wanted a world-class collection of sculptures. They came to me asking for assistance in curating that collection. And Margarita’s sculpture was the first of the sculptures to be chosen.”

Also watching the placement of the huge sculpture in the courtyard, Jordan spoke of the link between art and education and the desire of the Le Jardin vision to help meld the two, conceptually and literally.

“It’s an honor for us to have Margarita’s sculpture here at Woodward Academy and for her to speak to the students here. For Steve and I, our vision is for our kids to become diverse, to learn more about arts and gardens,” Jordan said with a smile. “Woodward Academy is a wonderful school that is known throughout Atlanta and all over the country. To be able to put this piece here is an honor and a privilege for us.”

Currently under development, Le Jardin is metro Atlanta’s new luxury French-inspired community located in south Fulton County along Ga. Highway 92 at Ridge Road.

login to post comments