Decentralize and Remodernize: A Call to Action made 70+ Years Ago in Landscape Theory?
Designing landscapes in a sophisticated manner requires a good command of the sciences and the arts―two spheres which have their own theory. Below, I will discuss the cryptic and often forgotten dimension of art in landscape design by reexamining a classical essay in the field:
Image: Starry Night Parody - Prawny - Pixabay
“The old relation of the artist to a clientele of the social elite has gradually receded; the new relation of artist to democratic mass clientele is barely visible over the horizon; in between is the no man’s land of commercialism, eclecticism, egocentrism, and escapism”
- Garrett Eckbo “Landscape for Living” (1950)
As early as 1950, the modern-postmodern-remodern triad and its associated decentralization ethos seems to have been alluded to by Garrett Eckbo in his canonical text “Landscape for Living”.
In the above-mentioned work, Eckbo was addressing himself to landscape professionals who had all failed to acknowledge the important technical, social, and cultural changes of the past century.
He advocated for the application of positive theory in this field and criticized American landscapes for being “built on the sole theory that no theory for planning is needed”.
Eckbo described theory as being “at one and the same time a generalization of the past, a vitalizer of the present, and a projection in the future” and stated that “if it is one without the others it tends towards sterility, decadence, or frivolity.”
Furthermore, he highlighted that the correct method is not “the sterile dichotomy of the official academic theory” but “a rich and many-sided octagon of landscape tradition.” He continues, “the great opportunity of our times is to rebuild, on an infinitely higher plane, the unity and solidarity between man and nature which existed and still exists in primitive communal societies, and which was broken and shattered by the great sweep of history.”
Change occurs gradually and 70+ years later these words remain relevant within the decentralize and remodernize spirit of our present day. Let's keep at it.
In the above-mentioned work, Eckbo was addressing himself to landscape professionals who had all failed to acknowledge the important technical, social, and cultural changes of the past century.
He advocated for the application of positive theory in this field and criticized American landscapes for being “built on the sole theory that no theory for planning is needed”.
Eckbo described theory as being “at one and the same time a generalization of the past, a vitalizer of the present, and a projection in the future” and stated that “if it is one without the others it tends towards sterility, decadence, or frivolity.”
Furthermore, he highlighted that the correct method is not “the sterile dichotomy of the official academic theory” but “a rich and many-sided octagon of landscape tradition.” He continues, “the great opportunity of our times is to rebuild, on an infinitely higher plane, the unity and solidarity between man and nature which existed and still exists in primitive communal societies, and which was broken and shattered by the great sweep of history.”
Change occurs gradually and 70+ years later these words remain relevant within the decentralize and remodernize spirit of our present day. Let's keep at it.