Las Pozas: The Surrealistic Wonderland Hidden in the Middle Of The Jungle – Design You Trust

Las Pozas: The Surrealistic Wonderland Hidden in the Middle Of The Jungle


girlsthatwander

After losing 20,000 orchids in an unseasonal frost, “extravagant” Englishman Edward James turned to his real love, surrealism, and rebuilt his garden in rock and concrete.

h/t: earthlymission


housandd

This surrealistic group of structures was created by Edward James between 1962 and 1984, more than 2,000 feet (610 m) above sea level, in a subtropical rainforest in the mountains of Mexico.


Alonso Andrade

It includes more than 80 acres (32 ha) of natural waterfalls and pools interlaced with towering surrealist sculptures in concrete going by names like The House on Three Floors Which Will in Fact Have Five or Four or Six, The House with a Roof like a Whale, and The Staircase to Heaven.


fg_soluciones

Scottish-born Edward James arrived in Mexico in 1944. He heard from someone in Ciudad Valles that in Xilitla, the orchids he loved so much grow wild. He then visited the place where he bought land and started planting orchids. In 1962, a huge hailstorm destroyed his estate, with about 20,000 orchids he had planted.


Rod Waddington

At that point, he decided to keep animals from the world over rather than flowers: it was then that he began the construction of cages together with artistic structures in a special style. Construction and expansion lasted until 1984, when the artist died. James, by the way, spent little time here as he was traveling most of his life.


jonathankleiman1328

Edward James was best known for his love and support for the surrealist movement. The wealthy English poet sponsored many projects and artists, including Salvador Dalí. He didn’t hold back when it came to financing projects since his family was known to have a fortune – they were part of the railroad and mining industry in the US.


Rod Waddington

Why exactly James decided to become the architect of Las Pozas is still a mystery, but he worked hard for many years with passion and dedication to accomplish it. After his death in 1984, the vegetation grew unchecked and ended up deteriorating the structure. For this reason, in 2007 the Fondo Xilitla foundation took control over the garden and has ever since restored it and looked after it.


fg_soluciones

In 2012, the Mexican government declared it a national artistic monument. The landmark has since served for photo shoots as well as a tourist attraction for surrealism fans. Everyone is welcome to appreciate James’ work, and the place is indeed a wonderland to visit.


Pavel Kirillov


Bernardo Bolaños


Bernardo Bolaños


paolacia


lilycoo

If you want more awesome content, subscribe to 'Design You Trust Facebook page. You won't be disappointed.

More Inspiring Stories

This Island For Sale, Built As A Radio Broadcast Station In The 1940s
Modern Pylons
Stunning Images Of The Psychiatric Clinic In Greenland
This Cave-Like Art Gallery Has Been Built Inside A Sand Dune
Shanghai-Based Architecture Studio Wutopia Lab Created This Cutting-Edge Design for The Monologue Art Museum in China
Artist Created These Creepy Illustrations To Help Cope With This Crazy Year
Cercle et Suite D’éclats by Felice Varini
"The Society of Fatigue": The Spiritual & Psychedelic Collages by Anarkoiris
Poetic, Emotional and Minimalist Photographs by Kersti K
Artist Reveals The Characters Of Zodiacs Through Surreal Portraits Of Women
This Incredible ’Time Capsule’ Home Hasn’t Changed At All For Over 72 Years
"Tales From The Woods": Beauty And Surreal Fine Art Portraits By Grace Almera
Surreal Floating Room Sculptures by Leandro Erlich
Watertower By Tom Fruin
World’s Longest Tunnel Slide To Open In London This Summer
Vintage Postcards of Giant Trees in the Early 20th Century
A Fantastical Proposed Skyscraper for NYC’s Billionaire Row by Mark Foster
"Physiology of the Humanoid": The Digital Surrealism of Frenetik Void
The Image of an Orthodox Church in a Modern Architectural Solution
3D Artist Creates Atmospheric and Dreamy Digital Landscapes
You Can Sleep In These Owl Cabins In France For Free, And Their Interior Is As Good As Exterior
"Liquid Colors": The Superb Colorful and Surreal Collages by Farid Sukuro
Jakarta Built A Surburban Village On Top Of A City Mall
Flow of Time: Fashion and Surreal Photography by Synchrodogs