Deeper Dive: Mindful Gardening with Getty’s Head of Grounds and Gardens Brian Houck

How does Getty’s Head of Grounds and Gardens approach his job caring for the museum’s largest work of art? Brian Houck speaks with host Lilit Sadoyan about his work with Robert Irwin’s Central Garden (1997) at the Getty Center. The practice of gardening—which requires accepting things outside your control, like the weather—has a lot to teach mindfulness meditation practitioners.

If you missed it, listen to this week’s flowing water meditation inspired by the garden.

You can watch this episode on YouTube here: https://gty.art/4wZysOS

Find images, a transcript, and more resources on our website: https://www.getty.edu/podcasts/ommm/deeper-dive-mindful-gardening-brian-houck/

See the Central Garden in person at the Getty Center: https://www.getty.edu/visit/ 

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Production team:

Host: Lilit Sadoyan

Producers: Zoe Goldman and Gideon Brower

Mixer and Sound Designer: Jaime Roque

Executive Producer: Christopher Sprinkle

For more art history insights, check out our other Getty Podcasts shows at www.getty.edu/podcasts

• Recording Artists tells artist biographies using archival material from the Getty Research Institute: https://www.getty.edu/podcasts/recording-artists/
• If Objects Could Talk is a family-friendly show where Getty museum objects, like a Greek vase or porcelain clock, come alive to share their story: https://www.getty.edu/podcasts/if-objects-could-talk/
• ReCurrent chronicles the people who shape our culture and keep the past alive: https://www.getty.edu/podcasts/recurrent/
• Art + Ideas showcases interviews with artists, architects, scientists, and cultural luminaries by former Getty President Jim Cuno: https://www.getty.edu/podcasts/art-and-ideas/

Through its programs—Getty Conservation Institute, Getty Foundation, Getty Museum, Getty Research Institute, and Getty Trust—Getty shares and advances the world’s visual art and cultural heritage, both in Los Angeles and throughout the world. 

Learn more about all we do for art on our website:

• Getty: https://www.getty.edu/
• Getty Conservation Institute: https://www.getty.edu/conservation/
• Getty Foundation: https://www.getty.edu/foundation/
• Getty Museum: https://www.getty.edu/museum/
• Getty Research Institute: https://www.getty.edu/research/