The Morton Arboretum has sprouted some huge heads and hands.
As part of its latest outdoor art exhibition, “Human+Nature,” five colossal sculptures by South African artist Daniel Popper now mingle among the trees at the 1,700-acre arboretum located in Lisle. The exhibition opens May 28.
Ranging in height from 15 feet to 26 feet, the five sculptures were created from glass-reinforced concrete, wood, fiberglass and steel — with each one tipping the scales at several metric tons.
“The biggest challenge was getting the pieces of the sculptures on-site, since the pandemic thoroughly disrupted shipping and transportation, so we are excited to see it finally come together,” said Sarah Sargent, the arboretum’s manager of interpretation and exhibits.
Popper created the sculptures exclusively for the arboretum, and the supersized figures will remain in their scattered spots across the grounds for at least a year.
“Each sculpture has a special resonance with its location in the landscape,” Sargent said. “My favorite is the pair of hands situated in a grove of century-old oak trees, because conservation and restoration are the work of many hands.”
Titled “Basilica,” that particular work is 37 feet long, reaching out to guests in Daffodil Glade, on the west side. The other works include “Hallow,” a 26-foot-tall female figure that guests can walk through; “UMI,” a 20.5-foot-tall maternal figure surrounded by magnolia trees; “Sentient,” an 18-foot-tall figure with diverse human facial traits interwoven with root structures; and “Heartwood,” a 15.5-foot-tall bisected face that evokes the interconnectedness of humans and trees.
“As an artist, I’ve always been interested in trees,” Popper said. “They’re very inspirational.”
He said each sculpture has a story behind it, but he likes to leave plenty up to the imagination so that people can bring their own ideas to it.
“For example, ‘Hallow,’ if you look at that piece — a woman opening herself up — what does that mean? Everyone can find a meaning for themselves,” Popper said. “They may see something about opening up emotionally, growing internally, opening up themselves to nature or to the natural world or to their own internal growth.”
The sculpture has an unfinished quality to it.
“I think unfinished things are more interesting because people can bring something of their own to it,” Popper said. “You will find more magic in things that way.”
This is Popper’s first major U.S. exhibition and currently his largest anywhere in the world.
“I think I started with an interest in the texture and materials, beautiful natural materials,” Popper said. “My interest in the materials led me to using them and seeing how we could do forms in different ways. One thing led to another, and I got interested in mixing art and nature together.”
As a guide to “Human+Nature,” an interactive map is available at the arboretum’s website. Three sculptures are located on the east side, two on the west. All make for larger-than-life photo ops — and plenty of deep thoughts.
‘Human+Nature’
When: opens May 28
Where: The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route. 53, Lisle
Tickets: included with timed-entry admission, $8-$16; Free for members
Information: mortonarb.org or 630-968-0074
Jen Banowetz is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.
