by Claudia San Miguel

Located at the crossroads of Hurtle Street and Pulteney Street, in Hurtle Square / Tangkaira is Anton Hart’s The Forest of Dreams, described as “an artwork that explores the power of imagination.”

The Forest of Dreams, installed on 18 February, 2003, is made of steel and granite. Each one of the four words occupies its own corner of the intersection.

*The artwork is illuminated at night. Pics: Shane Sody*

It is surrounded by the vibrant greenery and tall trees towering over Hurtle Square / Tangkaira.

During its unveiling by then-Lord Mayor Alfred Huang it was explained that the words “The Forest of Dreams” were drawn from a quote by French philosopher Gaston Bachelard reading; “The continuous passage from the real to the imaginary”.

The Forest of Dreams celebrates community, the beauty of art and individual creativity. The work acts in uniting the four quadrants of Hurtle Square, the creative choice to display each word in this way symbolises a journey for those viewing it.

The words placed across each quadrant represents a series of different pathways and choices. The title The Forest of Dreams strikes me as a mental activity, one in which you are faced with different paths, emulating different aspects of your life or different dreams you may have.

However, each path leading back to the centre of the square reflects the idea of a grounding force, rid of external pressures and aligned with your true self, signifying the aforementioned “continuous passage from the real to the imaginary”.

*The late Anton Hart. Pic:* *https://www.facebook.com/constantlystopping*

About the artist:

Anton Hart was born July 19th, 1954 in Melbourne. After moving to Adelaide, he became a cherished member of Adelaide’s contemporary art scene.

He had broad talents, working as a painter, public sculptor, multimedia and installation artist, a curator and a teacher.

Anton worked as an art teacher at Bowden Brompton Community School from 1993-1998, also teaching at the SA School of Art and University of SA.

*Anton Hart, 1990. Pic: Michal Kluvanek*

He unexpectedly passed away on 2 February, 2023 from pancreatitis. Hart left behind his partner Paloma Concierta, and children Kirsten, Kouhana, Misha and Armaru, along with a monumental legacy of artworks.

On 20 February, 2023 following his passing, Anton’s family and friends honoured him with a botanical tribute in Hurtle Square at ‘The Forest of Dreams’, bringing flowers and thread to wind around the letters D, R, E, M, and S of the word “Dreams”.

The ‘A’ was left bare, for Anton, ensuring he was surrounded by fresh flowers emulating the simple beauty he integrated into his teachings, work and everyday life.