Post #8: Battle of the Styles

William Robinson

During the last quarter of the 19^th century, there was a Battle of the Styles over the future of garden designs. The main two characters in the Battle were William Robinson on one side, and Sedding and Sir Reginal Blomfield on the other. Robinson believed that horticulturists should be the ones responsible for designing gardens, not architects. As a gardener himself, he thought gardens could be independent and not simply stand as ornamentation to the architecture of a house. He also was very interested in having more natural looking gardens. Now that is not to say he wanted landscapes like Kent, because he certainly did not. Rather, he wanted to stay away from the highly formalized garden structures. He believed Versailles and Crystal Palace represented the evils of gardening. Robinson also had a vested interest in naturally grouping hardy plants, and he also enjoyed having exotic plants in gardens.

Sir Reginald Blomfield

On the opposing side of the battlefield were the architects. J. D. Sedding and Sir Reginald Blomfield believed that garden design should be based around the architecture of the building. They also believed in more formal gardening styles and techniques. Unfortunately, Sedding died before the publication of his book Garden Craft Old and New. Therefore, he was not able to defend Robinson’s attack on the work. Then, Blomfield came to play and stood up for the architects in this battle.

Both sides were very invested in their cases and refused to compromise. Therefore, in the end, it was not an architect or a gardener that won, but the collaboration of architects and gardeners. Gertrude Jekyll and Sir Edwin Lutyens represent this perfect union of architect and gardener. They were able to achieve something greater than what either side could have achieved on their own.

Sir Edwin Lutyens

Gertrude Jekyll

Image sources:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/39/Blomfield-1921.jpg/220px-Blomfield-1921.jpg

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01075/gardening-graphics_1075750a.jpg

http://marymarthatours.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/clip_image0042.jpg

http://www.thecultureconcept.com/circle/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/U277583INP.jpg

Post #7: Field Study

Here in the 21^st century, it can seem nearly impossible to escape the crazy bustle of cities. With pavement and buildings covering every block, the idea of nature can begin to feel foreign. For this reason we need urban greenspaces. People need a place to walk, run, sit, or simply escape into nature. Copenhagen has done a wonderful job transforming their greenspaces and keeping them relevant and beneficial for the 21^st century urban citizens.

Ørstedsparken

The first park we visited was Ørstedsparken. This park still maintains elements of the old fortifications. For instance, part of the old moat now serves as the lake that runs through the park. The park itself is very effortless and pleasant. The meandering paths, simple foliage, and statues scattered throughout are very pleasing to the eye. Citizens use the park for leisure activities. There is a stage where people can put on performances, picnic tables and benches to sit at, and a café for people eat or drink. The park is very inviting and on sunny days is full of people.

Botanisk Have

Our next stop was Botanisk Have. I have visited the botanical garden multiple times, and I always enjoy going back. I remember my first time to the garden I was shocked that it was free. This made me think the garden really is a greenspace open to the public and encourages citizens to use the space. People can still go to walk around, sit in the grass and relax by the lake, as they could at most parks. However, they can also observe the different exotic plants or go inside the green houses. This gives people a way to experience plants that they would not get to see in any other park in Denmark.

 

 Østre Anlæg

Our third stop, Østre Anlæg, was one of my favorites. There were multiple viewpoints and all sorts of things to do. The first two parks we visited were very open and could pretty much be seen from one viewpoint. Østre Anlæg, on the other hand, had many different paths and areas. This park had play equipment for children, places to play sports, and a flower garden to sit or explore. These are all appealing aspects for people of all different ages, which is a very important element for an urban greenspace.

 

Kastellet

We ended our trip at Kastellet. It’s Europe’s oldest military base that is still in operation. This park did not seem quite as inviting as the other parks did. Most of the people there were running and using the space as a workout location. Some people would walk through on their way to the Little Mermaid, but there were not as many attractions that invited people to stay or explore the park. Since it’s still a military base it makes sense that the greenspace encourages people to pass through but not linger. Overall, all of these different greenspaces have important roles and are still being used in the 21^st century. Copenhagen has done a fabulous job of keeping these parks and gardens relevant and useful for all of its citizens.

Sources:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1c/Ørstedsparken_-_café.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ee/Botanisk_have_drivhus_1.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9d/Østre_Anlæg_og_Statens_Museum_for_Kunst.JPG

http://www.starforts.com/gr/kastellet.jpg

Post #6: Bridgeman, Kent, Brown

During the 18^th century, there was a large transition for English gardens, which lead to the English landscape movement. This transition can be seen due to the anti-French sentiment at the time, as well as the interest in neoclassicism and enlightenment ideas. The thought of evoking sensations through landscape became very important, as did the concept of ornamenting typical farmland. This push towards more natural landscapes and drawing away from the more formal gardens designs were led by the big players of this movement: Charles Bridgeman, William Kent, and "Capability" Brown.

 

Bridgeman's ha-ha

Charles Bridgeman is often seen as the transitional landscape designer who began to break tradition and stray away from the norms. The ideas of writers Addison and Pope greatly inspired him and his new take on the English landscape. Bridgeman’s single largest contribution to English landscape was the invention of the ha-ha. It was revolutionary for it’s time because it allowed the existing landscape to be part of and incorporated into the garden and constructed landscape. Bridgeman still used axis, but he also started incorporating meandering and curving lines in his landscapes. Kent and Brown built their ideas based on what Bridgeman discovered, but took them even further.

Kent's Rousham

William Kent began his studies as an artist, architect, and eventually transitioned into his most famous role as a garden designer. Kent’s works looks natural, but every aspect is manipulated, shaped, and contrived to give this beautiful, natural, look. Rousham is the only existing original Kent work that has not be touched by other landscape artists. Bridgeman originally designed the garden, but as the fashions changed, Kent redid the garden over Bridgeman’s work. This was very typical for the time, and Bridgeman, Kent, and Brown’s careers were greatly intertwined. They were physically building off of what the previous designer had created.

 

"Capability" Brown landscape

If you thought Kent’s landscapes looked natural, you would be shocked by “Capability” Brown’s work. He designed acres and acres of land in England, and often times people today do not even realize they are in a "Capability" Brown work. It looks so picturesque, perfect, and natural. However, every aspect and element is manipulated and designed. There are mixed feelings about his work because of how much he manipulated nature to make everything look perfect. However, his influence cannot be denied. He worked on over 300 commissions and designed numerous acres throughout England. All three of these innovative designers led to different developments in the English landscape movement, with their different styles, content, and purpose behind the designs.

Sources:

http://austenonly.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/p10803151.jpg https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQBiimiWjg6xQmr79ecMSm4gB8yfCRtTGyH-W8RSyTi6Q3EkpGOvPDXzWpX3-ceaJy3BC5kPH5krruyzq3foSeHGjs7qlIfScG_xCOSg0Nw8pR-yn3ONx8mOJ3ocmC4nFyqH19atnuuBPW/s1600/Rousham11W.jpg

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheDJOgxRx_vQq2TKhpT69nWhtPGnzi3vpK0jh038aAFDjzRyMZkgMR4yuPGltsFWbdRd1RT3zLXMOtHEVaG5ABrdbo4ZpSSkAQTEeRIPulqU_TXcFkyg6cGYnyt_YDFOFGJ9TM34Gkmsa_/s1600/CVerneyC.jpg