Background Modernist garden design has become recognised as a single 20th century phenomenon with some clearly defined characteristics. While its roots can be traced back to the 19th century it became a very significant movement on the US western seaboard and in northern Europe, particularly France, Germany and Scandinavia in the 1930s. Before that time, Western gardens usually followed two basic patterns, either formal / geometric or irregular. A fixed vocabulary of these forms was applied to different problems and different sites. Modernism reversed that thinking and recognised that form could actually grow from an analysis of the site, the architecture and functional requirements. Design of modernist gardens is usually related to the use of the garden and they are often dominated by elements like swimming pools, barbecue and outdoor eating areas. There is usually a strong visual and practical relationship between house and garden. The wall and window in this garden represent the edge of the house. Generally there is little ornamentation in true Modernist gardens, detailing is simple and there is a lack of formality or any central axis. Earlier Modernist designs like this one favored a looseness, flexibility and spontaneity to the layout and a minimalist lack of detail. The central synthesis of this garden is between the sharply linear concrete and decking grid pattern and the curving lines of the garden edges and kidney shaped pool with an abstract island sculpture. Kidney shapes were very popular in America during the 1940's and were found in everything from the biomorphic imagery of Surrealist painters to coffee tables. The space, form, manipulation of views and the overlapping planes of this garden originate from the Cubist idea that a scene may be seen simultaneously from a number of viewpoints. | | History An American Modernist Garden Trust was formed on 2 May 1996 and finished in June 2000. Their aim was to oversee and raise funds for the development of this particular garden. The Trust comprised of Bob Armstrong, Selwyn Dephoff, Lyn Foster, Peter Sergel, and Ed Vos (Chairperson). Josiah Beeman, Ambassador to NZ for the United States of America and Patron of the Trust planted a Sugar Maple on 14 Sept 1996 to mark the start of construction of this garden. The Surrealist Sculpture and Mural were unveiled at the 1999 Summer Festival. |
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