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 The
Snoopy Labyrinth developed from a series of synchronistic
events. Unbeknownst to me, Jean F. Schulz, the wife
of the late Charles M. Schulz, creator of the Peanuts
comic strip, was looking for an artistic creation, symbol
or archetype, to connect people to nature at the new
Charles M. Schulz Museum, set to open the following
August, 2002. Simultaneously, in the early spring of
2001, I had been asked by the Luther Burbank Home and
Gardens to give a talk on labyrinths; the date was set
for Tuesday, September 11, 2001.
Given the tragic events of the day, the talk was nearly
canceled, but we ultimately decided to go ahead. Mrs.
Schulz was part of the group gathering that evening
to enjoy the Luther Burbank Gardens, walk and learn
about labyrinths and, as it transpired, connect with
others trying to deal with the pain and loss of 9/11.
A month later, Mrs. Schulz contacted me, asking if I
might create a labyrinth in the shape of Snoopy’s
head. Delighted, I told her it would be an honor. So,
to the recorded music of the Peanuts Gang, and a little
Snoopy image before me, the meandering paths of the
contemporary Snoopy Labyrinth emerged from my creative
imagination.
Labyrinths
are not just about serious inner-work and contemplation.
Labyrinths are also about rediscovering play (an essential
for adults), finding joy, and a reconnection to the
world around us. Labyrinths allow space for our creative
imaginations. Charles Schulz drew with all these characteristics
every day of his cartoon career, projecting this type
of creativity through all of his Peanuts characters,
but especially with Snoopy. This beloved Beagle is many
things to many people: Joe Cool; World War I Flying
Ace; hockey player; dancer; dedicated author of short
stories and novels, Scout Leader for Woodstock and friends;
collector of fine art; pool player; a pain for Lucy,
and a companion for Charlie Brown. But most of all,
Snoopy is a warm puppy who thinks profound thoughts.
As Landscape Architect John Robert’s said, "there
couldn’t be a better way to be inside the mind
of Charles Schulz than inside the head of one of his
creations." So whether you run, walk, stroll, or
use your keyboard with the 3D Snoopy Labyrinth on-line,
you just might see and hear what Snoopy sees and hears.
And that would be a wonderful thing!
Experience
the 3D Snoopy Labyrinth!
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Day
1 of the Layout. John Roberts, Landscape Architect,
and I maneuver the grid lines to layout the Snoopy Labyrinth
design, which is approximately 57' x 51'. It was quite
a feat to attend to the many curving lines, the path
space, the line/garden space, the two dimensions of
my blueprint, the three dimensions of the actual site,
and stay in communication with each other and the contractors
and sub contractors! We both found that our work became
a meditation and we enjoyed it immensely! We finished
that first day, and the days to follow, tired and covered
in dirt, but happy.
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John
points out the recycled plastic in the bender-boards
used to define the path and lines.
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Day
3 of the Installation. The Snoopy Labyrinth has
two distinct areas that are part of the whole. Winding
your way through Snoopy's nose, you will experience
a meander switch-back and when you find yourself at
the center of Snoopy's ear, you will have navigated
a two-circuit, Classical-style labyrinth.
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Day
5 of the Installation.
Layout of the bender boards nears completion.
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Day
6 of the Installation. Layout of the bender boards
completed. Mrs. Schulz counted 175 "footsteps"
start to goal, or goal to start. If one footstep equals
2.5 feet, then 175 footsteps is approximately 437.5
feet. So, the entire journey into the Snoopy Labyrinth
is approximately 875 feet, about one-sixth-of-a-mile!
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Day
8 of the Installation. Sub-packing of rock and dirt
in preparation for the crushed granite that will line
the paths.
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Day
12: Snoopy's Nose Arrives!!! This egg-shaped granite
rock is from the Mother Lode, just west of Yosemite.
It weighs over 4,000 pounds (two ton) and is being maneuvered
to fit into the shallow hole at the tip of Snoopy's
nose. Landscaper Bob Tucker and crew oversees its placement.
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Day
14 & 15 of the Installation. The plants/grasses
arrive, all 1,400 of them. Blue Oat Grass will fill
in the lines.
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Day
16 of the Installation. One of the crew balances
the empty pots that held the plants and carries them
away from the project.
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Day
22 of the Installation. All that is left to complete
the labyrinth is the final crushed granite for the paths,
the stone benches in Snoopy's eye, ear, and collar,
and lots of people, young and old, to come and enjoy
the spiraling paths...
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Day
48 & 51 of the Installation. Using traditional
stone-working techniques, artist Edwin Hamilton and
crew crafted Snoopy's collar, eye, eyebrow, and ear
with local stone from the old Wheeler-Zamaroni Santa
Rosa Quarry. On site, Snoopy's eye, eyebrow, and ear
are given the final shaping of the installation.
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Opening
Weekend!!! People come to enjoy the beautiful museum,
grounds, and discover the Snoopy Labyrinth...
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***** |
Summer
Solstice, June 21, 2003. Sitting upon Snoopy's eye
stone, you not only look at the Ice Arena, but you are
in direct line with the 5:52 Summer Solstice sunrise.
At 6:30 am, the sun peaks up over the roof of the ice
area and sends a beam of light through the live oak,
illuminating Snoopy's eye stone.
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The
Schulz Museum Participates in the Worldwide
Circle of Labyrinths: Commemorating
the December 26, 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami.
People of all ages came to walk the Snoopy Labyrinth at
the Charles M. Schulz Museum, Santa Rosa, California.
At the center of Snoopy's ear... all gave blessings to
the water in a Chinese "Dancing Water" bowl. |
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***** |
October
& November 2005: Snoopy gets new grass and rocks
for his lines! The
Blue Oat Grass, planted in 2002, did not do well in
the clay soil. Landscapers Michelle Bellefeuille &
JoAnn Vrilakas of Bellefeuille & Vrilakas Garden
Design researched for the best possible grass for
the site. The winner was a native Californian plant,
Juncas patens (California Gray Rush).
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I
travel with Michelle & JoAnn to Wheeler Zamaroni to
look for suitable rock. Water Worn Granite is the choice.
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Five
ton of granite is delivered to the Schulz Museum. With
some help with the three biggest rocks, us three ladies
move all five ton! |
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And
as JoAnn reminded us everytime we said so, "we moved
all five ton of rock, several times!!!" |
Right
before we began to lay out the rock, we were surprised
by numerous 5 year-olds descending upon the labyrinth.
They were like little blue butterflies. It was an auspicious
beginning to the work ahead of us. |
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Every
stone was placed with care and attention to aesthetics. |
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After
the stones were in place we began to plant the new California
Gray Rush plants (you will still find some of the Blue
Oat Grass interspered here and there). |
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Now
with some rain and sun, the new grasses will begin to
take root and grow, filling the Snoopy Labyrinth with
a beautiful
path to follow... So when you visit, be sure to listen
for what Snoopy thinks of his new fur!!! |
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In
May of 2006, Flat Stanley (based on the books by author
Jeff Brown) came to visit
the Schulz Museum and walk the Snoopy Labyrinth.
To learn more about Flat Stanley's visit: Click
Here
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*****
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Please
note that all photos are copyrighted
and may not be reprinted or taken from this website without
written permission.
-Photos by Lea Goode-Harris- |
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The photo-shoot in
the cherry picker, high above the Snoopy Labyrinth,
was made possible by photographer Patrick
Brockway.
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Web Design & Content by Lea Goode-Harris, Ph.D.
© 2005
E-Mail:
goodeharris@gmail.com
Website:
www.leastudio.com
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