 |
| Art by Joel Slaton on Doll's Head Trail. Photography by Bonnie M. Morét. |
In 2003, DeKalb County bought the property once occupied by the South River Brick Company, which had been shut down more than 50 years ago. Construction began, designing paved trails and boardwalks around the ponds, creating a 125-acre preserve known as Constitution Lakes Park. Located only a few miles from downtown Atlanta, the preserve has attracted fauna not typically seen in such an urban environment.
The lakes feature countless turtles, crappie and catfish, along with large mouth, small mouth, spotted and striped bass. Bird watchers will see belted kingfishers, woodpeckers, ducks, blue herons, geese and hawks. It’s a biological smorgasbord with towering sentinel trees surrounded by trucking outfits, pallet sellers, rough neighborhoods and even a transitional center.
The Doll’s Head Trail is the work of local carpenter and artist, Joel Slaton, who envisioned an art project created from discarded doll parts and other trash that was scattered around the site. He channeled his inner Thornton Dial and Rev. Howard Finster and created a neo-folk art haven. The pieces are dominated by doll heads, but also include bottle creations, collages, decorated chinks of old bricks and beheaded doll parts.
The key to the collection is the idea that everything must be “found” — and that means found inside the Park itself. It’s repurposing at its finest — it cleans up the nature preserve while creating art. The trailhead sign says, “litter makes the angels cry,” so bringing things in with you to leave on the trail is discouraged.
Below are highlights:
 |
| Art by Joel Slaton on Doll's Head Trail. Photography by Bonnie M. Morét. |
 |
| Art by Joel Slaton on Doll's Head Trail. Photography by Bonnie M. Morét. |
 |
| Art by Joel Slaton on Doll's Head Trail. Photography by Bonnie M. Morét. |
 |
| Art by Joel Slaton on Doll's Head Trail. Photography by Bonnie M. Morét. |
 |
| Art by Joel Slaton on Doll's Head Trail. Photography by Bonnie M. Morét. |
 |
| Joel Slaton leading a tour of Doll's Head Trail. Photography by Bonnie M. Morét. |
 |
| Art by Joel Slaton on Doll's Head Trail. Photography by Bonnie M. Morét. |
 |
| Art by Joel Slaton on Doll's Head Trail. Photography by Bonnie M. Morét. |
 |
| Art by Joel Slaton on Doll's Head Trail. Photography by Bonnie M. Morét. |
 |
| Art by Joel Slaton on Doll's Head Trail. Photography by Bonnie M. Morét. |
 |
| Art by Joel Slaton on Doll's Head Trail. Photography by Bonnie M. Morét. |
 |
| Art by Joel Slaton on Doll's Head Trail. Photography by Bonnie M. Morét. |
 |
| Art by Joel Slaton on Doll's Head Trail. Photography by Bonnie M. Morét. |
 |
| Art by Joel Slaton on Doll's Head Trail. Photography by Bonnie M. Morét. |
 |
| Art by Joel Slaton on Doll's Head Trail. Photography by Bonnie M. Morét. |
 |
| Art by Joel Slaton on Doll's Head Trail. Photography by Bonnie M. Morét. |
 |
| Art by Joel Slaton on Doll's Head Trail. Photography by Bonnie M. Morét. |
 |
| Art by Joel Slaton on Doll's Head Trail. Photography by Bonnie M. Morét. |
 |
| Art by Joel Slaton on Doll's Head Trail. Photography by Bonnie M. Morét. |
 |
| Constitution Lakes Park. Photography by Bonnie M. Morét. |
Posts
0 comments :
Post a Comment