A stake in the grass

In its “Lawn Nation” exhibit, the Notebaert Nature Museum sees your front yard as a place to play, an eco-problem and—most of all—fodder for art. We give the green thumbs-up to these displays.

Photo: Greg Stimac

For years, photographer Greg Stimac traveled the country documenting the ritual of lawn maintenance. A series of photographs called “Mowing the Lawn,” including Chandler, Arizona (pictured), reveal this country’s obsession with perfectly manicured green grass: a symbol of the American Dream. Although, in this mower’s case, we think the grass is definitely greener on the other side.

Photo: Lloyd Degrane

In “Sacred Ground,” Lloyd DeGrane captures the yard-obsessed, including some who go against the grain...of grass. (We had to.) DeGrane’s eight photos feature South suburban scenes of shrines, sculpture and dozens of plastic flamingos.

Photo: Courtesy of Notebaert Nature Museum

Lawns aren’t all fun and games—but that’s certainly a big part of them. Chicago-based artist collective the Beautiful and the Deadly has created GnomeGrown, a kid-friendly scavenger hunt, to bring backyard merriment into the museum. Each garden gnome holds a message about sustainable lawn care. Kids can search for the messages and learn about resources and correct procedures. Now all they need is a mower—and you can put ’em to work.