BREATH
Our first breath announces our entry into this world and is the foundation for each breath thereafter. It is the beginning of our story. Breathing is a life force of opportunity to develop out of a basic egocentric view into awareness of our place in the world with others. Every breath we take confirms the direction we are taking.
BREATH is found across from the Red Bridge Overlook, where marriages and partnerships are confirmed. It contextualizes a piece of modern art through the noticing and pondering of the meaning of reflection — a red bridge reflected in water, totemic art reflecting the red bridge. This mirroring offers potential to consider unifying principles which serve as the basis upon which more complex concepts and theories are built. Mirroring can also reveal who we are on a deeper level.
“Each breath we take is more than an act of survival—it is an intricate dialogue with the intelligence of life itself. The microbiome of this planet — woven into its soil, waters, and air — is the foundation of resilience, not only for ecosystems but for the human body.” —Dr. Zach Bush, MD
Part of Nature, Energy, & Reflection
One of eight site-specific ceramic installations at Dow Gardens | May 2025 – April 2026
This sculpture is part of Nature, Energy, & Reflection, a year-long installation exploring the quiet dialogue between clay, breath, and place. Each piece was created in response to a specific site within the Gardens and is paired with a guided meditation to deepen connection and awareness. Together, the works invite visitors to tune into the subtle energies of the natural world—and the resonance within.
Location: Red Bridge Overlook
About Dow Gardens
Nestled in the heart of Midland, Michigan, Dow Gardens is a living sanctuary of cultivated beauty and wild serenity. Spanning over 100 acres, the Gardens offer a rich landscape of woodlands, streams, meadows, and meticulously tended beds that shift with the seasons.
More than just a botanical garden, Dow Gardens is a place of deep sensory engagement—where art, nature, and reflection converge. It serves as a canvas for Helen’s current site-specific installation, allowing her work to integrate with the rhythms of the natural world and offer visitors an experience that is both grounding and expansive.
Dow Gardens is open year-round and welcomes all who seek quiet wonder, beauty, and connection.