LESS IS MORE: seeking colours among rocks
Less is more (Browning, 1855).
When left from the airport to the hotel, there were just tons of desolated rocks and mosses on two sides of the plain. Colourful elements like vegetation and water could hardly be seen, so my first impression about Reykjavik was monochrome and desolated. Certain of it, until I saw only a few green grew among the rocks, created such a unique feeling in my mid. When people are in a complex colourful woodland, people could not really feel every single colour deep inside. Sometimes, less is more because it makes us see things clearer and deeper. So welcome to my trip, it is an adventure about seeking a few unique colours growing among rocks.
Field Trip To Reykjavik
XINLEI GUO
Introduction: where to seek in Reykjavik
Natural rock space (Videy Island) can be usually seen on most of mesas and plains of the city. It is less sophisticated than a r ock gar den, but is much more spectacular as it always covers an immense area.
City space (Skarfabakki Harbour and Sculpture & Shore Walk) is always full of sur pr ises once seeking colour s in some unexpected low-key rocks carefully.
Rock Gardens (Botanical Garden) ar e one of the ways to display small plants delicately, an under -used group, of plants to great advantage. Moreover, a rock garden can provide several different habitats in even quite a small area. Rocks can be placed so that plants make the most of a sunny spot whereas a shade -tolerant plant can nestle in the same rock’s north-facing shadow.
Colors: Blue & dark green
Plants: Moss Elements: Sea, aquatic vegetation under the water and medium-scale rocks.
I imagine there is a young couple. Wife’s name is Sea, and husband's is Aquatic Plants. The crystallization of their love is a kid called Moss, and they are still extending their life in their home called Rocks. Another view from my eyes: dim colour, romantic feel.
Seek colours among rocks in the wilderness—Videy Island
As time goes by, countless plants grow and wither away around the rock. The things change, but only the rock has insisted on this land. Like an old man has been looking after young lives for the whole life, and young lives try their best to flourish to cuddle him. Tanto plants passed by, tanto white spots on the rock’s surface.
Colors: Gold.
Plants: Golden oats and moss.
Elements: Giant rock and white spots.
Colors: Dark yellow & light green Plants: Yellow withered herbaceous & still green groundcover in the deeper interstitial space. Elements: large-scale rocks & next to coast. Green groundcover were glowing in the shadow, Withered yellow never gives up even if in such a Hostile environment: Cold, Windy, And excessively moist. ‘Keep going’, I said. Their colour definitely can be highlighted in the past, present, and future.
Seek colours among rocks in the city—Skarfabakki Habour Limited space, Unlimited growth. Fragile flowers, How can you carry these rocks On the shoulder. Rest of the flower buds, Just burst into bloom now, Even in the desolated autumn. Even in the deep gap. Just burst your colour!
Colors: Light yellow, green and white Plants: Shasta daisy (still some flower buds didn't bloom). Elements: large-scale rocks & next to coast.
Seek colours among rocks in the city—Sculpture & Shore Walk
Although there are different colours, all I see is the reflection of the immense sea—dark blue, covered the whole area. All the things seemed quite lonely and isolated there including people. Even in the sunny day, but still felt a little cloudy and gloomy. I think no one would like to stop here to feel lonely again with these blue among rocks.
Colors: Dark Blue.
Plants: Golden oats and weed.
Elements: Sea, different-scale rocks and people.
Seek colours among rocks in Reykjavik Botanical Garden—Rock Garden
Where is the origin of this colourful scene? ‘Plants?’ ‘No.’ ‘Lake?’ ‘No.’ ’People?’ ‘No.’ ‘Rocks!’ ‘…’ Rocks are extending to connect All the elements: Water, Plants And people! All the colour star to shine. If you ask me where are these colours from? ‘…’
Colors: Colourful.
Plants: Various including a specimen tree: prunus nipponica var kurilensis (Really beautiful when burst into pink bloom in spring ). Multifunctional rocks: bridge, seat, read, eat, communicate and so on.
Seek colours among rocks in Reykjavik Botanical Garden—Rock Garden
White dandelion, Black shadow, Unique dream. Deep inside of the darkness, Do you hear the voice of dandelion? They are desperate coming out to Enjoy the sun, Spread the seeds, Create a dreamy feeling for You and me.
Colors: White & Black.
Plants: Dandelion (Aster himalaicus Himalajastjarna) & moss.
Elements: Shadow & large-scale rocks
Seek colour among rocks in Reykjavik Botanical Garden—Rock Garden
A cluster of purple, She is a sleeping baby A ring form rock, It is a strong arm. Peacefully, Purple lies down the rock, Baby is held by the arm. ‘Shh…!’ Don’t wake her up, Just enjoy watching her sleeping.
Colors: Purple.
Plants: Liliaceae (fritillaria crassifolia) & moss.
Elements: A ring form rock.
Seek colour among rocks in Reykjavik Botanical Garden
Slope and perfect sunshine offers weed a new way to grow. Tons of small rocks provides tons of gaps for weed to grow. Even though weed is small and short, but it’s able to spread in an unexpected quick way to bring new surprising colour to attract more people soon or later.
Colors: Light green
Plants: weed & moss
Elements: Slope, tons of small rocks & light.