Gardens

Jyoti Naoki Eri was born in Kyoto, Japan, to accomplished artist parents. He trained as a sculptor in Japan through a traditional apprenticeship process.

Recently, as there was widespread concern about what was happening with the Matrimandir lake excavation, a task force was created at a General Meeting to prepare a design brief that would frame the aesthetic, environmental, functional and technical parameters to undertake the preparation of an alternative concept design.

Deepanam School now has a new Sensory garden for the children to engage with nature. This initiative of Patrizia and Natascha was brought to life with help from the Auroville Botanical Gardens.

Quietly, without fanfare or publicity, a beautiful Japanese garden has been created in the grounds of the Botanical Gardens. We spoke to Jyoti Naoki Eri, the designer, and Noel Parent who coordinated the construction work, to find out more.

An innovative process to design a new garden close to the Matrimandir is underway. What is it trying to achieve? What does it involve?

Just as much it fills my heart with joy to see a sapling poke its head out of the ground and slowly grow and unfurl its leaves to the light, so also it gives me immense joy to see a new educational initiative take root and steadily grow each year.

PRISMA has just released a new book that focuses upon one of the most beautiful gardens in an Auroville community. Gaia’s Garden in Auroville contains many photographs, taken through the seasons, of the flowers, trees and interesting corners of this labour of love of Dutch Aurovilian, Kireet Jak, a project which he describes as “an interaction and play with nature waiting for the unexpected surprises of Mother Nature”.