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All the United States Georgia Decatur Mechanical Riverfront Kingdom on Druid Hill
AO Edited

Mechanical Riverfront Kingdom on Druid Hill

An unusual art exhibition in a suburban yard is designed to awaken the souls of those flowing by.

Decatur, Georgia

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Jesse
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The Superstructure in the backyard resembles the entrance to a cathedral.   jessemiers / Atlas Obscura User
Part of the mythology of the exhibition can be found on this lookalike historical marker.   jessemiers / Atlas Obscura User
The backyard is also full of stoves, part of The Infrastructure of an Uncertain Future.   jessemiers / Atlas Obscura User
The garden along the road, part of the Commuter Gallery.   jessemiers / Atlas Obscura User
  alanrglass / Atlas Obscura User
Clark Aston at Work   ski queen / Atlas Obscura User
  ski queen / Atlas Obscura User
  alanrglass / Atlas Obscura User
The Battle of Druid Hill   John Clark Ashton Cornelius Farmer / Atlas Obscura User
Immortal   Kel / Atlas Obscura User
DeathByShopping   Kel / Atlas Obscura User
BonesBehindBars   Kel / Atlas Obscura User
TheyAreWatchingYou   Kel / Atlas Obscura User
The Best Laid Plans   John Clark Ashton Cornelius Farmer / Atlas Obscura User
The Control Tower and Sky Saw, which visitors can climb and operate.   jessemiers / Atlas Obscura User
The arched gateway to the kingdom.   jessemiers / Atlas Obscura User
The distinctive spires of the Mechanical Riverfront Kingdom.   jessemiers / Atlas Obscura User
  alanrglass / Atlas Obscura User
JokerJam   Kel / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
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About

In the congested traffic along a prominent Decatur thoroughfare, commuters may notice an unusual garden of giant metal sculptures, and a man playfully encouraging them to wake up from their lulled complacency. According to John Clark Ashton Cornelius Farmer, the exhibition's sculptor and designer, the commuters are part of the "Mechanical River," and his garden, towers, and metal throne are all part of his Mechanical Riverfront Kingdom. 

Ashton has been creating giant metal sculptures in his yard since 1989, when he welded his first metal man, Adam, from scrap iron. Since then he has dedicated his efforts to building art that captures the attention of commuters. Over time, his installations grew more daring and now include two-story towers such as the Sky Saw,  designed to cut a hole in the sky (so we can access the other side of consciousness). Nearby,  Sky Stitcher is designed to heal any hole creating negative consequences. Visitors are invited to sit in the metal throne that overlooks the Mechanical River. 

The interactive sculptures that fill Ashton's front and back yards are meant to evoke reflection and stun people out of their routine thought patterns—especially when combined with his morning performance art. Tours are available: Art, Music, and History on Druid Hill can be scheduled through Airbnb Experiences for people who want a deeper understanding as told by the artist. 

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Outsider Art Sculpture Gardens Sculptures Metal

Know Before You Go

The sculptures are free to visit, but donations are truely appreciated. Ashton invites curious minds to explore the sculptures, including those in the backyard. Daylight hours only.

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jessemiers

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hieromech, John Clark Ashton Cornelius Farmer, Collector of Experiences, ski queen...

  • hieromech
  • John Clark Ashton Cornelius Farmer
  • Collector of Experiences
  • ski queen
  • alanrglass
  • Kel

Published

December 4, 2020

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  • https://www.artsatl.org/clark-ashton/
  • https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/19050319
Mechanical Riverfront Kingdom on Druid Hill
3162 N Druid Hills Rd NE
Decatur, Georgia, 30033
United States
33.813085, -84.30314
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Decatur

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