Explore the captivating wonder of Novi’s Villa Barr Art Park, a hidden gem of the West Side experience. Created by David Barr in 1988 with his awe-inspiring sculpture “Koan”, along with the surrounding trees and shrubs that he planted himself, the park serves as a peaceful paradise where visitors can take in wonders such as the wooden Bosque Urban sculpture from 2019 and the Equiknossos piece from 1990.
David Barr’s Koan
Explore the hidden gem of the West Side, Novi’s Villa Barr Art Park. This park was created by renowned sculptor David Barr in 1988 and features metal panels, tubes, and stones that together form his awe-inspiring artwork, “Koan”. Inspired by pre-historic megalithic sites in Europe, this sculpture seeks to inspire a spiritual connection to its viewers. Additionally, visitors can enjoy the main studio house designed by Chicago architect Lawrence Booth. The house is surrounded by the trees and shrubs that Barr planted himself, making Villa Barr Park a unique paradise in Novi.
In 2019, artist Jeff Zischke installed a Bosque Urban sculpture at Villa Barr, inspired by the beauty of the natural environment. The wooden sculpture reflects the woods’ shadows and patterns, giving visitors an immersive experience of the surrounding nature. And continuing the park’s legacy, the 1990-created Equiknossos sculpture resides on the east lawn of Villa Barr, a reminder of ancient sites like Stonehenge that used to keep time and mark the seasons.
Internationally-renowned artist and sculptor David Barr created this masterpiece, which stands as an example of the talent his former residence – designed by Chicago architect Lawrence Booth – has produced. Open seven days a week, Villa Barr Art Park is a four-acre outdoor gallery with numerous sculptures and installations from artists across the globe. Visitors can explore the artwork and learn more about the art, its creators, and the park’s history through informational signs scattered throughout the grounds.
Visitors to Villa Barr are welcomed by granite pillars and greeted by iron sculptures with weldings and four holes cut into them. A tree and its shadows fall on a storage shed, and the 2018 work Ag dul Abhaile by Kaz McCue is a reminder of the Irish diaspora. There is no doubt that Tracie Ringle, Novi Parks Department, feels proud to walk through Villa Barr and take in the beauty of Sunswirl on the east side of the art park.
Not only is the artwork by John Heider captivating and inspiring, but it also serves as a reminder to the community of the passion and dedication that the Novi Parks Department puts into making the area a vibrant place for all to enjoy. Through its presence on email, Twitter, and Facebook, Barr’s “Koan” promotes an appreciation for the beauty of Villa Barr and the art of John Heider while continuing to bring people together and inspire them.
Novi’s Villa Barr Art Park is a true hidden gem of the West Side. Installed within its lush and naturally beautiful surroundings are impressive works of art designed by self-taught sculptor David Barr, accompanied by wooden “Bosque” Urban sculpture designed by Jeff Zischke, as well as Lawrence Booth’s utilitarian designed house. All of these iconic works serve to remind viewers of their spiritual connections to nature and ancient sites in Europe that used to keep track of time and the seasons. As time passes, this unique park will continue to inspire visitors through its unique pieces of art, always standing strong against the changing of times.
