Et In Arcadia Ego and The Ambassadors

These works touched on the themes of Vanitas (artworks expressing the meaninglessness of earthly life and the transient nature of vanity) and Arcadia (in Greek myth a paradise, and utopian vision of man and gods in harmony with nature). Both are connected to the idea of the walled garden.

The placing of brass plaques echoed the existing memorial dedications on the other garden benches. The benches are both a place to sit and contemplate life and death, and a memorial to those who walked in the garden and are now gone.

Et In Arcadia Ego directly referenced the painting Les Bergers d’Arcadie by Poussin; a reminder that even in an earthly paradise, Death rules over all.

The Ambassadors referenced a painting by Holbein of the same name. A plaque with a banknote engraved on it where a memorial dedication should be reminded the viewer to look closely beyond the everyday amassing of wealth and possessions; a foolish preoccupation in a life all too short.

Et in Arcadia Ego

The Ambassadors