Lost Gardens Location Revealed: Level 3, 96 Flinders Street Melbourne from 27-31 March 2006

Hidden for decades Melbournes own lost gardens will be open to the public for five short nights from the 27 - 31 March 2006, located at Level 3, 96 Flnders St in the Melbourne CBD. The sensitive plant life are best viewed after sun down so the gardens will be open from 6pm onwards.

The Lost Garden Found Research Team have been investigating the long and intriguing history of Melbourne’s Lost Gardens. Though how they actually came into being is still largely a mystery, many tales of their origins have circulated over the years. The most popular of these tells that the gardens were commissioned by Isabelle Durand, a sculptress who immigrated to Melbourne following the death of her young husband in France in 1917. In the early 30’s the gardens are said to have been renown amongst Melbourne artists as a venue for superb evening soirees, hosted by Isabelle herself. It is also said that many of the artisans that created the intricacies of the Forum Theatre were employed on the formation of the gardens but that Isabelle herself always maintained that the gardens had been simply ‘discovered’. Due to family circumstances, Isabelle retired to France in 1946 and without someone to attend to them, the gardens lapsed into disrepair. On her death in 1958, ownership of the gardens passed to her nephew in America who, not having any personal association with their history left the gardens undisturbed and forgotten…

Regardless of their beginnings the gardens were left to their own devices for many years and the flora and fauna within it continued to evolve outside of human restraint. Many people attest to having stumbled across the gardens, enjoying their wild and hidden delights and occasionally adding their own work along the way. Although the gardens have infused Melbourne culture over the years, providing inspiration for local artists, their existence has mostly been construed as urban myth.

Nearly a year ago The Lost Garden Found Research Team discovered documents that led them to the gardens’ location, thrusting this myth back into reality. Although they can offer no conclusive argument as to how the gardens came into existence they hope that the public launch of the Lost Garden Sampler as well as the opportunity to visit the mysterious Lost Gardens, will provide inspiration to further generations of Melbourne artists.

To visit the gardens come to:

LOCATION: Level 3, 96 Flinders St (in between Russell and Exhibition)
WHEN: 27 - 31 March
TIME: Evenings after 6pm - with a special performance on the evening of 29 March
Free drink for early garden visitors