My Choice Garden Movement

Of the gardens studied during this semester of Garden Art in European Culture the style, or

movement, that resonated most strongly with me are the Gardens of Islam and Moorish Spain. My interest in this genre of European Gardening stems from the novelty of this movement and its uniqueness within the course’s content. Unlike the majority of other gardens that have been studied this semester, gardens of the Islamic world have a different source of inspiration and influence from another corner of the globe.

First of all, the majority of movements that were covered in this class showcase some tie to Christianity, or more specifically Catholicism. Gardens of the Islamic world obviously do not draw on Christian beliefs for inspiration. Rather religious texts of Islam serve as the guiding force for these gardens, especially the Qur’an. Throughout Islamic gardens, there is a universal quest to create an earthly “Paradise,” the promised destination for Muslims in the afterlife.  

Al-Azhar Park in Cairo shows an example of an earthly Paradise Source: http://www.egypttailormade.net/media/k2/galleries/66/Azhar%207-Beautiful%20Lakes%20inside%20al%20Azhar%20Park%20copy.jpg

Furthermore, I found the tenants of art in Muslim culture to be refreshing and inspiring. The pursuit of beauty is evident in all Islamic inspired creations. On a more personal note, I find their simplicity of style very attractive. The carved arabesque, brilliant geometric patterns, and effortless calligraphy blend together to create art that is uncomplicated yet meaningful. To me, it is peaceful to experience this type of art.

Example of arabesque, a hallmark of Islamic art
Source: https://arabesqueflorire.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/arabesque-art.jpg 

This desire to create beauty and paradise dominates the gardens of the Islamic world. The quadripartite format emphasizes the four rivers of life, milk, honey, water, and wine, with rills filled with running water dividing the areas. This is all accomplished while holding an allegiance to the concept of beauty and its importance in the Islamic context.

As someone who has visited the Alhambra in Granada, I have a strong idea of the tranquil atmosphere that is projected from an Islamic garden. The running water, lush plantings, and Islamic artistic influence forms a divine location that is most certainly projects the concept of Paradise. The knowledge of this feeling further adds to my fondness of this style of gardening. Moreover, to me, these gardens appear exotic and different from the norm; these differing elements make Islamic gardens intriguing to an individual who has studied western art in depth.

Gardens of the Alhambra
Source: http://planetden.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Alhambra-fountains.jpg

Islamic gardens, and the qualities that define them, have most certainly resonated with me during my study of garden art in European culture and have peaked my interest in Eastern art.

Related Link: http://theislamicmonthly.com/underneath-which-rivers-flow-the-symbolism-of-the-islamic-garden/

Copenhagen's Fortification Parks

Today Central Copenhagen is home to several urban green spaces that date back around 150 years. For centuries, Copenhagen was a walled, or fortified, city to provide protection to residents from foreigners. However, as times progressed and an international military conflict became less of a threat the fortifications became more and more irrelevant. Finally, following a plague during the mid 19^th century a population boom occurred in the city resulting in the need to expand to accommodate more families. With this increase in population, it was decided to remove the walls of Copenhagen leaving ample open space behind, which was ideal for park lands.

A map showing the original fortification of Copenhagen. The wall on the bottom of the photo is now where parkland is located.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Copenhagen 

While originally the land once used for the fortifications was divided among three parks, today only two green spaces remain. The first being the botanical gardens and the second being Østre Anlæg park.   

The botanical gardens of Copenhagen have a long history and were not originally located in their current location. Nevertheless, the decommissioning of the fortifications of the city provided a perfect new space for the gardens. The green space is rather structured and somewhat formal in style. A series of glasshouses dominate the are and are impressive in scale and structure. Furthermore, this is a showpiece for Denmark, as it is the home of the nation’s largest collection of living plants. The grounds are well manicured with a comma-shaped lake to one side.

The Palm House dominates the botanical gardens.
Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5b/Palm_House,_Copenhagen_Botanical_Garden.jpg/250px-Palm_House,_Copenhagen_Botanical_Garden.jpg 

In general, Østre Anlæg park has a different feel than the botanical gardens. This green space is a tad more relaxed and elements of Copenhagen’s past shine through. The lakes were once part of the moat system that defended the city and elements of the once extensive fortification system are still visible. The area is people’s park with space for children, concerts, and sports, in contrast to the botanical gardens which are dedicated to the study of plants.

People sunbathing in Østre Anlæg Park. Source: http://i2-images1.tv2net.dk/s/21/20166321-b09a8711b8fc517b1c8b2401bc638335.jpeg

Although today the parks have different purposes and styles they still have a shared history and jointly function as an “outdoor living room” for Copenhagen. In the 21^st century, these green spaces are important social areas for the city’s residents. The open areas provide an escape from the old, cramped streets of the medieval city center of Copenhagen, which has little to no vegetation. Urban living in Denmark’s capital has been greatly enhanced by the conversion of the fortification ring to parkland. Today, other areas of the city are now converting abandoned property, such as rail beds, into green spaces to better their neighborhoods as the fortification parks have done for the city’s center.