Oh, Niki, You're So Fine!

Now that the Chihuly elation from the summer of '06 has finally fizzled out and the Chapungu exhibition of '07 has closed, St. Louisans are certainly ready for more artistic enchantment at the Missouri Botanical Garden (4344 Shaw Boulevard; 314-577-9400 or www.mobot.org). So how do you think a funky Dr. Seuss-esque temple would look among the garden's blooms? Would you like to see a giant mosaic lion and an even-larger alligator lounging around the plush landscape? And how does an enormous, multicolored skull strike you? Thanks to French-born, New York City-raised sculptor Niki de Saint Phalle, our summer at the garden will be enchanted by characters like these and many other large-scale works. In fact, 40 of her sculptural mosaics will grace our garden as part of an exhibit dubbed Niki. This show opens on Sunday, April 27, and continues daily through Friday, October 31. In addition to strolling around and viewing the sculptures — an activity that is included in your regular $2-to-$8 admission — the garden offers Niki Nights on Thursdays ($3 to $7) to further celebrate the works with food, drink and fun.
April 27-Oct. 31, 2008