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 'Oh, Design You Trust,' our brand new Facebook page! Trust me, you won't be disappointed.

More Inspiring Stories

International Balloon Festival in Mexico
The Festina Lente Bridge
Enigmatic And Brutalist Post-Communist Sculptures In The Balkans
This Illuminated Arch Rises Up Out Of The Water And Surrounds A Foot Bridge In Texas
"The Other Side of the Dark": Digital Dreams by Smeccea
Dystopian Lighthouses By Adrian Labaut Hernandez
Exploring the Soulful Portraits of Alexandra Dillon's Imagined Characters
Rotary Clubs Light Up the World to Eradicate Polio
"Keep the Dream Alive": The Superb Everyday Surreal Artworks of Mostafa Khaled
People On This Group Are Sharing Examples Of ‘Urban Hell’ That Look Like A Dystopian Movie But Are Sadly Real
The Surreal Trees Of San Francisco Shot By Kelsey McClellan
"Survirtualism": Absolutely Mind-Bending Photo Manipulations By Ellen Sheidlin
The Mythic Realms of Bizarre Artworks by Adrian Cox
How To Go All Out For Halloween Without Decorating Your House
50 Times Architects Made Buildings That Look Cool But Were Uncomfortable To Live In Or Use
Veronika Gilková’s Ethereal Photos Are Straight from a Dream
Architectural & Technology Company Builds Curve Appeal 3D-Printed House
Artist Creates 3D Sculptures Of Ancient Deities And Mythological Creatures With A Modern And Surreal Twist
Inside of Blizzard's Office
“Potemkin Village” - A Fake Urban Decorations Among The Ufa City
This Instagram Account Dedicated To... Japanese Water Towers
"Physiology of the Humanoid": The Digital Surrealism of Frenetik Void
Why Is This Little House In The Middle Of The Street In New York?
Amazing Surreal Photo Collages by Elena Vizerskaya