About
“Growing Gardener,” which stands quietly in Art Village Osaki in Shinagawa Ward, is a 2006 work by the German artist collective Inges Idee. This enormous sculpture can even be seen from the windows of the Yamanote Line trains.
Inges Idee is a collaborative unit formed in Berlin in 1992 by four artists: Hans Hemmert, Axel Lieber, Thomas A. Schmidt, and Georg Zey. They have worked on art projects in public spaces, producing numerous works that bring humor and surprise to urban landscapes.
“Growing Gardener” is, when translated literally, “a gardener who grows.” Its humorous appearance leaves an impression, as if the gardener’s hat has stretched up into the sky because he is so absorbed in his gardening. This work prompts us to reconsider the relationship between nature and humans within the city, while also reminding us of the surprise and enjoyment hidden in everyday life.
Art Village Osaki is a space where contemporary art and urban life blend together, and it is beloved by many people. As a symbolic presence, “Growing Gardener” continues to offer new perspectives and inspiration to visitors.