Today we took a drive out to Chateau La Coste. Our house exchange hosts had recommended it as a nice place to visit and referred to it as a huge park with large modern art pieces and several restaurants. So we really weren’t sure what we were going to find. But it was a pleasant drive out there through the beautiful spring countryside so we knew we couldn’t lose. Actually Chateau La Coste is 4,500 acres of mostly vineyards, plus winery tours and tasting, and a tiny collection of excellent restaurants and shops, and art. As they say it, “Chateau La Coste is a vineyard where art, architecture and land live in harmony. The artists invited to participate were encouraged to choose a place on the domaine and given the freedom to create something that would live there.” Currently there are 34 art & architecture installations throughout the 4,500 acres.. Along with your ticket, they give you a map and send you on your way. They should include an oxygen tank. The stone paths take you around many vineyards, groves of olive trees, and into wooded areas where most of the installations reside. It’s very hilly and eventually you reach the highest point and you can see forever. It’s breathtaking. Below are some of the installations we saw.
“Psicopompos” 3 scales were made of cast iron and suspended in a stone archway. This first one has a counterweight of a single block of quartz. 
The counterweight in the second one is a net made of cast iron filled with pieces of quartz. 
The third counterweight is a glass prism from the Czech republic.
“Oak Room” The entrance to the Oak Room is integrated into an old stone wall.
The ceiling and walls were all made by taking off the bark and then intertwining the oak trunks to create a circular form. The trunks were replaced by smaller branches and then twigs to create the ceiling. 
Approximately 1,200 pieces were used to create this structure and the work does not require any extra materials to support its shape. The room has a distinctive earthy smell and a cool freshness.
“Multiplied Resistance Screened” The artist has created aluminum and stainless-steel colorful sliding bars into panels. 
Visitors are invited to slide the panels. 
The effect of changing the colors by sliding the bars is so cool.
“”Drop” This polished stainless steel orb just needs to be pushed gently to have it spin, tilt, rise/fall and glide hosizontally, eventually returning to equilbrium. 
The reflections of the oak trees on either side didn’t look like reflections at all but rather like gazing into a miniature other world.
The Music Pavillion designed by Frank Gehry. Strange. 
This is the view from the end. Acccustically it’s supposed to be wonderful, but the design, hmmm… (do they have tornados in France?)
Provence Journey 
Very cool!
LikeLike
It is easy to see why your hosts recommended this tour. I liked the Donegal bridge and the Oragami Benches. The colored aluminum an s/s panels did make for some interesting designs didn’t they? And, I preferred your explanation of “Infinity” too. The Orb and Chalice were interesting too. Total “thumbs up” as far as I’m concerned. Loving our vacation so far. 👍 Oh, and of course, Uncle Bobby and the kitty cat would find each other,
LikeLike
We also enjoyed La Coste and had lunch in the same restaurant. I’m so glad you liked it. We’re planning a small group tour with Friendly Planet to Cuba in early December. Want to join us?
LikeLike
If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a hundred times…”wish I was there with you guys!”….Loved Goldie Locks….what a beauty……and love the bridge made of slate from Ireland….Aix is lovely!
LikeLike
The spider sculpture – um Hell no. nope. I thought the oak trunks were twigs at first. Impressive!!! All of it, impressive!
LikeLike