Façade of Denver Museum of Art
Photos by Jorge V. Ledesma and Elizabeth Lolarga
I am breaking the confidentiality of the saying “What is said in the garden stays in the garden.” From Boise, Idaho I flew to Denver, Colorado, in June to be with old friend, theater actor-director Jorge Vargas Ledesma, to soak in his garden which he had spoken tenderly of for many years. He issued an open invite to visit years ago to view his work in progress and relax in his Thornton City abode that is filled with books, art, religious images in an antique aparador (his secret altar). And the kitchen smelled of fine food cooking, from adobo to kare-kare.
Ledesma’s garden, a place to meander and meditate
He reminded me of St. Exupery’s Little Prince in the time he invests in all the living creatures that touch the soil of his backyard. He said he got his green thumb from our common friend, sculptor Jerry Araos. While others would put more effort in the frontage of their houses, Jorge turned the wilderness at the back into pockets of soothing loveliness attractive to such avian beings as the mourning doves, red-winged blackbirds, grackles, goldfinches, robins, and hummingbirds. What splendid colors!
Jorge Ledesma on the “One-Seater Concrete Tree” by Nacho Carbonell
The author amid “Serpentine Jungle Mirror” by David Wiseman
There are bird feeders hanging from the branches of trees, and their life-giving purpose egged me on, on a mad whim, to seek a similar contraption at Wild Birds Unlimited, listed as a “retail store stocking supplies for feeding and observing birds, including bird baths and binoculars.” It set me back by US$60, but I imagined husband and me leisurely watching the wild birds of Baguio, especially sparrows, zooming down the feeder to peck at the feed. Of course, I also bought Denver-made taffy candies for my grandchild and chocolate-encased almonds for my daughters, which they raved about.
I didn’t turn into a naturalist overnight, although I’ve envied author Amy Tan and her latest illustrated book The Backyard Bird Chronicles, where she even catches in color pencil quarreling birds. I had to hand it to Jorge, the domestic diva, for letting me be and scheduling our gallivanting depending on the mood I was in. Our post-breakfasts and afternoons were devoted to just soaking in his garden, gazing at the ways of birds and admiring spring’s blossoms.
A spirit guide by Jacobo and Maria Angeles at Denver Botanic Gardens
“Secret Garden” by Daniel Brown
I had only two full days with him, so we narrowed our itinerary to the Denver Botanic Gardens and the Denver Museum of Art, with him expertly at the wheel of his car and not needing the guidance of a Waze app—that’s how long he has been in this area. In the gardens, what struck me immediately were the outdoor sculptures of Mexican artists Jacobo and María Ángeles, featuring what they called “spirit guides” or fantastical animals. These artworks are on view until Sept. 8.
Think of an animal built like a horse but with antlers and widespread wings—those are just one of many things that came out of the artists’ Oaxaca, Mexico workshop and spread all over the 23-acre gardens.
Jorge confessed that the best time for him to go there is during winter, when he’s all bundled up and his ears are attuned to the sound of the crunch of ice under his boots. He is alone with his thoughts. He likes that he is the only person in the desolate premises, then he proceeds, for warmth, to the Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory where sample living plants from the rainforests are cultivated. The contrast is astonishing.
“Lily Dress” by three AsFOUR
But on this early summer day, the crowds were enjoying the sunshine. Jorge insisted on carrying a black umbrella throughout our stroll. I kept my hat and sunglasses on and didn’t bother with sunblock lotion. Jorge was a fount of info as he told me that the color of the pond (black and not reflecting the sky), that looked straight out of Monet’s Giverny garden (as I know it from pictures and paintings only), was artificially induced with some natural dyes to keep the look, contrasting with the bright colors of the lilies or lotuses.
“Bulbo Chair” by Humberto and Fernando Campana
“Wallflower Clover” by Elena Manferdini
Bougainvillea at the Bill Hosakawa Bonsai Collection
Everywhere there were benches where families or seniors could pause and enjoy the view or catch their breath. The gift shop was the kind of trap I willingly allowed myself to fall in. I bought lavender soap made by the women volunteers, and lavender flowers were carved on the soap bars. But Jorge insisted on paying for my postcard and other purchases. I was spoiled, I’m telling you!
“Three Young Girls” by an unknown British artist
Personal high point for me was the museum with ultra-modern architecture, sharp-edged and a contrast to the older and traditionally built structures around it. It was designed by the Italian Gio Ponti and Denver’s James Sudler Associates. It was free-entrance Tuesday, so again there was quite a stream of visitors, especially children and youth, the sight of which swelled my and Jorge’s hearts as we knew they carried the seeds of love for art.
I was mainly motivated to see the exhibit Biophilia: Nature Reimagined, to learn how Nature inspires art, fashion, furniture, architecture, textiles, and more. I noticed that the docents guiding group tours were in their senior years. Again I was heartened to witness this, as it shows how the expertise of the elderly can be tapped for the community. Jorge and I preferred to explore on our own.
Near glass artist Dale Chihuly’s sculpture
The author behind a stone chair in the Denver Museum
I whizzed past the Renoirs, van Goghs, Manets, lingered admiringly at an O’Keeffe still life and had fun at the outdoor sculpture area, where Jorge and I took turns posing behind the stone chair carved after a human torso.
Earlier, I told him I already prepared my wallet for the last stop—the souvenir shop where I picked up boxes of notecards by Wayne Theibaud, the painter of cakes and confectionery, a hundred Lego postcards for my child Kimi who still plays with the toys at age 39, and another set with classic paperback covers as cover art. Safe to say, I wasn’t over the weight limit when I returned to Boise.
