Are you on a journey of rediscovery or happen to be in the midst of finding purpose in your life? Perhaps a little trip somewhere interesting can help open your eyes to new possibilities.
The Indian Sculpture Park is the perfect place for those who have hit rock bottom—that is, if you can take the artworks on display. The grim location features stunning man-made creations that range from large cobras, vagina entrances, and an emaciated-looking Buddha that might make you a little queasy.
This outdoor park in Wicklow, Ireland, is definitely unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. To put it simply, the outdoor sculpture gallery is not for the faint of heart. But despite the rather grotesque display, it holds a deeper meaning than you think.
Take a Trip to the Indian Sculpture Park in Ireland
The 22-acre section of land occupied by the Indian Sculpture Park is not the most popular stop in Ireland, but it is certainly the most interesting. Owner Victor Langheld designed the sculptures from scratch back in the year 1989. He was inspired to start working on this project after taking a trip to India in search of enlightenment. Overall, it took Langheld twenty years to complete this massive art gallery.
Despite the grandeur of his creations, the designs are definitely not for everyone. But as Langheld himself puts it, the area’s main purpose is to encourage self-reflection. That claim is backed up by the fact that each of the black granite statues holds a unique meaning.
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The Entrance
The Indian Sculpture Park in Victoria’s Way is open from 12:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. until September 20. Guests can enter through the vagina dentata entrance, which symbolizes baby heading out to the real world.
The Serpent
Awakening or Birth of Consciousness
According to Langheld, the sculpture above illustrates the innocence of an infant who is just experiencing the real world.
Dark Night of the ‘Soul’
The emaciated Buddha in a lotus position is one of the most prominent figures in the entire park. It is said to symbolize a feeling of emptiness and despair.
The Split Man
The Split Man represents self-destruction. It is the inability of committing oneself to complete a certain goal and the sense of depression that follows after. The words “create or die” are embedded on the sword.
The 22-acre park includes a series of figures of Ganesh, Shiva, and other Hindu deities
The Ferryman’s End
The Ferryman’s End is something that most of us can relate to, the feeling of being “stuck in a rut.”
Visitors take about an hour to check the entire place. Aside from experiencing the progression to enlightenment, there is also a plaque of dedication toward acclaimed mathematician Alan Turing.
