Djerassi Public Hike

Lori and I were treated to an unexpected private tour of the Djerassi property with the docents Karri, Dave, and Michael. While we saw some old friends, like the faeries, we largely took new paths and saw art we hadn't yet seen.

After enjoying the captions below, you can view larger versions of the photos by clicking on them. This will open a new tab in Google Photos. Use its menu to start a slideshow, or select a photo and press the Info button to view captions and maps.

Torii, 1983-1984. Bruce Johnson. Redwood, cement, stone.

A western fence lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis) rests on the Torii

A western fence lizard rests on the Torii
Sceloporus occidentalis

Bill, Michael, David, Lori, and Karri start their Djerassi tour with Torii, 1983-1984. Bruce Johnson. Redwood, cement, stone.

These stones and logs were cast out of bronze and looked incredibly real

"Djerassi resident artists program. You are now entering a coastal mountain pothole preserve. Drive at your own risk!"

Art can be fun too.

When the car in front of me passed between these signs that say, "Magic Ahead," it vanished.

Yield to Whim, 1983. Frank Foreman. Salvaged yield sign, paint. Note the growth of the coyote bush and live oak in the intervening years.

Compare this photo, which may be one of Derek Jackson's Faeries, with my photo from 2023.

Lighthouse, 2025. Mark Baugh-Sasaki. Stainless steel, CNC-cut aluminum panels, acrylic sheet, Sonoma fieldstones.

This rosette, in front of Mark Baugh-Sasaki's Lighthouse, is a long way from home (Menagerie, 2011. Jen Blazina. Hydro-cal.)

Previously, long grass and a mine field of ticks made this piece unapproachable. Door-Space, 2006. Peter Muller. Wood, metal.

Lori enters the realm of the Door-Space, 2006. Peter Muller. Wood, metal.

Which path will you choose?

Michael ponders his path.

Lori chose a path and smiles.

Dave, Lori, Michael, and Karri choose "Onward & Upward."

From Wisdom to Folly, 2010. Walter May. Wooden utility pole, madrone branches, wooden posts.

In Pasture, 2022. Jacqueline Rush Lee. Hand-carved, charred and reclaimed wood.

Dave strikes up a tune on these chimes hanging from an old oak in front of Estaciones de Luz.

Lori leads the way through the Estaciones de Luz, 1987-88. Mark Reeves. Wood.

Michael and Karri emerge from the bowels of Earth in the Estaciones de Luz, 1987-88. Mark Reeves. Wood.

Dave continues through the Estaciones de Luz, 1987-88. Mark Reeves. Wood.

Lori, Karri, Dave, and Michael find themselves in the middle of the Estaciones de Luz, 1987-88. Mark Reeves. Wood.

Lori emerges from the Estaciones de Luz, 1987-88. Mark Reeves. Wood. Follow the link to see a photo of the outside of the work.

Ruby chalice clarkia
Clarkia rubicunda

Footnotes, 2016. Cintia Santana. Found redwood planks.

State Certified Facts, 1999. James.Chinneck. Bronze, redwood.

Our first glimpse of Hearth, 2024. McKenzie Genin. Steel. More photos here and there

Liberty Cap, 2011. Beate Engl. Polyolefin fiber, wire.

The Work, 2002. Alfred Böschl. Redwood, madrone, paint.

The sun is eclipsed by Hearth, 2024. McKenzie Genin. Steel. More photos here and there

The Work can be seen through Hearth, 2024. McKenzie Genin. Steel. More photos here and there

Unknown

Watch

Breathing Stones (The Gateless Gate), Unknown. Kamran Samimi. Shist stone.

Black Pearl, 1991. Mark Oliver. Stucco.

Arristus, 1981. Bruce Beasley. Stainless steel.

Michael told us there was another Bruce Beasley piece at Stanford. By coincidence, Lori and I were going to a concert there the next night, so we looked for the piece on the way home. Horizon II, 2006. Bruce Beasley. Bronze.

Horizon II, 2006. Bruce Beasley. Bronze.

Djerassi Public Hike—July, 2026