Just as flower blooms in the garden are ephemeral, so is garden art. On November 30, 2014,  the installation Crum Creek Meander, located next to Magill Walk, is scheduled to be dismantled. There are only two months left to see this provocative, controversial, and interactive piece.

As an April Fools joke this year, Swarthmore engineers students "extended" the Crum Creek Meander into Sharples Dining Hall, claiming the Meander had overflown. photo credit: R. Robert

Installed in the fall of 2013, Stacy Levy’s temporary piece has generated much conversation, passionate opinions for and against the piece, imitation, and it has been the platform for other pieces of art. Designed to generate awareness and generate conversation, this piece succeeded in creating a buzz across campus.

Stacy Levy, a leading environmental artist, is drawn to water and how it flows through the natural landscape in seen and unseen ways. She was struck by how the Blue Route (Route 476) is a human stream over Crum Creek. Crum Creek Meander is designed “to bring a sense of the creek to people’s minds” by creating a “ghost” of the creek in a highly visible space.

Enjoying the sheer delight of dashing through the strips of the Crum Creek Meander. photo credit: R. Robert

Designed to be interactive, clear vinyl strips allow viewers to see wind interact with the piece and allow visitors to cross the virtual creek. This is often a favorite feature for children visiting the Arboretum. Several can often be found running in and out with sheer delight.

The Crum Creek Meander is sited along Magill Walk. photo credit: R. Robert

Art in your garden can inspire conversation and introspection. Contemplative moments in the garden can be the most impactful; consider adding art to your landscape. Come experience Stacy Levy’s Crum Creak Meander  and add your voice to the campus opinion about this piece of art. PS…Don’t forget to run through the vertical strips, it is great fun!