Tuesday 5 January 2016

Contemporary Art Gardening


It's very rare that I see a garden design that makes me stop in my tracks and examine it in detail. Most garden designers nowadays are just making some sort of composite of existing themes, styles and techniques.

When we went to Lisbon back in October last year, and were enjoying a long, leisurely, and food filled walk between the Praca do Comercio and the Padrao dos Descobrimentos, my eye was drawn to what appeared at first glance to be a rather neglected building, with a tired and hastily laid out patch of grass in front. It turned out to be a rather exclusive hotel, and the garden was unique, and really quite clever in it's design. In the picture I am standing at the pointed 'bow' of the ship, with the windowed structure at the far end becoming the bridge. The area laid to grass had been painstakingly prepared to form a choppy sea effect before the grass was put in place, and the edges curved upwards to give the effect of the sea splashing up onto the the sides of the vessel. Quite remarkable, and absolutely appropriate for it's location. If you click on the picture to expand it, the detail becomes clearer. THIS should feature at Chelsea, but is I fear just another case of a garden designer with a remarkable talent getting to use his/her skills on yet another commercial development. Personally, I doff my cap to you sir/,madam, it made for yet another conversation between us.



15 comments:

  1. Interesting. Looking at the big picture, I felt a little motion sickness. :-)

    Happy Gardening ~ I'm planning to trim my front hedge and am praying for the strength to do it. At least the weather is cooler.

    Have a great week ~ FlowerLady

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  2. Only ever do as much gardening as you are enjoying doing it Lorraine. It can always be finished the next day. I do hope you find the energy. The grass garden is rather weird. For something motionless, you can somehow feel movement.

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  3. the different ideas are what makes us think of new things...different gardens

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    1. Aren't they just Red. Having worked in the gardening industry for nearly 40 years, new and fresh innovation can sadly be lacking nowadays.

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  4. Very interesting. Thanks for sharing your find.

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    1. Thanks Sherlock. It was such a new concept to see.

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  5. I like a combination of ancient and modern; as I do indoors too. I did once see a lawn made from individual mounds; it looked amazing, but must have been a bugger to mow.

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    1. They had a 'lumpy lawn' at Hampton Court Flower Show last year. Even this is now being used by landscapers as a 'new' idea. Can you remember where yours was?

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    2. I'm almost ashamed to say that I think it was on Ground Force (or some other instant garden makeover show).

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    3. Your secret is safe with me.

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  6. Lumpy lawn
    Sounds like a Enid Blyton character

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  7. Very interesting and how appropriate for a land of navigators like Portugal.

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