Djerassi Ranch

Successful artist residence program has filled this ranch with dozens of sculptures over the years

Category Outsider Art, Architectural Oddities, Outsider Architecture

Image of Djerassi Ranch located in  | Estaciones de Luz by Mark Reeves, 1988. (Stella Hwang/Flickr)

Estaciones de Luz by Mark Reeves, 1988. (Stella Hwang/Flickr)

Source www.flickr.com
Image of Djerassi Ranch located in  | Estaciones de Luz by Mark Reeves, 1988. (Stella Hwang/Flickr) Image of Djerassi Ranch located in  | State Certified Facts by James Chinneck, 1999. (Bridget Lewis/Flickr) Image of Djerassi Ranch located in  | Sylvan Steps by David Nash, 1987. (Bridget Lewis/Flickr) Image of Djerassi Ranch located in  | Dialog by Roland Mayer, 2004. (Scott Ashkenaz/Flickr) Image of Djerassi Ranch located in  | Estaciones de Luz by Mark Reeves, 1988. (Rick Shinozaki/Flickr) Image of Djerassi Ranch located in  | Orpheus Coyote and other friends, William King. (Scott Ashkenaz/Flickr)
Outsider Art http://atlasobscura.com/category/museums-and-collections/outsider-art Architectural Oddities http://atlasobscura.com/category/architectural-oddities Outsider Architecture http://atlasobscura.com/category/architectural-oddities/outsider-architecture

Djerassi Ranch, located in the Santa Cruz mountains, is home to an artist resident program that provides free one-month residencies to artists of all mediums. The program has hosted over 1,700 residences since it was started in 1979 by chemist and writer Carl Djerassi (best known as co-creator of the first oral contraceptive pill).

The private 580-acre ranch is best known for the many sculptures that residents have created through the years. The sculptures often use nature as a key element in the works, responding to the surrounding landscape and emphasizing the relationship between nature and art.

Estaciones de Luz is a "labyrinthine architectural sculpture" and is one of the ranch’s more impressive works. The sculpture “can only be entered by traversing a winding tunnel in absolute darkness," according to Djerassi's official website. "The circular space at the center is remarkably tranquil and quiet, the space having been designed to reflect sound back into itself." This center space is even used on occasion for musical performances.

Today there are approximately 50 sculptures on the ranch, and many are available for view in the two public tours that are offered between April and October. The 4 1/2 hour “Director’s Tour” visits over half of the sculptures as well as the artist’s barn for $50 ($40 for members). And the free two-mile, tour last for 2 1/2 hours and visits 15 sculptures. Reservations are required for both.

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  • Website Djerassi Program; Facebook: Djerassi Program
  • Address 2325 Bear Gulch Road, Woodside, California, United States
  • Cost A 2 1/2 hour tour is free. A 4 1/2 hour tour is $50 (or $40 for members). Reservations are required.
Sources
Map/Directions

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From I-280, take 84-W to CA-35-N, and turn left onto Bear Gulch Road.

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