Abstract
Gilles Clement
Gilles Clement the academic ‘gardener’ has influenced landscape architectural theory to return to the intrinsic value of nature in design. His position at the French school of design Ecole du paysage and authorship of numerous books and other publications sets him as a critical exponent of biodiversity and the “garden in motion” (jardin en mouvment)
Clement’s study into Agricultural Engineering and Landscape Architecture along with extensive emperic research into mankind’s relationship with nature allows him rare insight into sustainability, this culminates in “The Planetary Garden”.
Clement’s naturalist style subverts imposing design systems of design theorists such as the geometrically inclined Burley Marx and A new avenue of design in managed natural cycles respecting the autonomy of nature, creating a fine balance between preservation and intervention learned from observation of the third landscape. Working with, rather than against nature as discussed though out the discourse of permaculture reduces the need for input.
On abandoned land bought in 1977 Clement built his home – La vallee with his own hands from local materials. This allowed experimentation though “sustained observation”. Opposite to imposition the land dictates, preserving biodiversity and ecological systems. He is concerned with preserving the “natural character of the local environment” seen also in the work of AE bye, the inherent beauty of nature’s rhythms is articulated.
In the garden of Melle, an Art commission designed to be long term Clement utilised nettle - urtica dioica ‘naturally’ occurring on the site as an alternative method for treatments such as pesticides (this practice was banned by the agricultural appropriations law like many organic options.) The garden includes a micro lagoon referring to the treatment of the regions polluted water. Set on making his denial of the standards public and expanding global literary theory in relation to sustainability through politics.
Books
Scape: 2 / 2007 - Portrait The Planetary Gardener
Explores concepts and theologies of Gilles Clement through key projects. Conveying three main concepts ‘The Planetary Gardener’ – ‘Gardens in Motion’ and ’The Third Landscape’.
The Contemporary Garden
Olsion S (2009) Phaidon press: London
A guide to Landscape Architecture through 100 gardens from the early 1920’s to the present day. Includes some of the best work of horticultures pioneers and innovators.
“presenting new approaches and alternative solutions to garden design”
International landscape design
Griffin. N (1996) Laurence king publishing: London
An extensive collection of landscape design projects world wide. Burgerpark auf der Hafeninsel, a parks design in Germany which Latz and partner designed with sustainable concience. The materials are locally sourced and the vegetation naturally regenerated. Many of the concepts within this design are aligned with the theologies of Gilles Clement.
Permaculture 1 A perennial agricultural system for human settlements
Mollison. B, Holmgren. D (1978) corgi books: Australia
Permaculture – Permanent culture / agriculture A discipline in relation to landscape architecture in it’s all encompassing nature As Bill Mollison states “permaculture walks in the vallys between the mountains of all disciplines” attempting to mediate between fields and patterns of thought becoming holistic and considered in relation to design and function.
Web
In English – Blog Thema
In-english.blogsthema.marceille-provence2013.fr/archives/8 Accessed: 4/8/2010
This website translates an extract from an interview of Clement by Xavier Thomas regarding the relationship of “the third landscape” in the greater context of the ‘Planetary Garden’ especially with concern to the value of wasteland in the city of Marseilles.
Design Bloom
http://www.designboom.com/contemporary/clement.html
Accessed: 6/8/2010
Design bloom is an interactive site connecting Architecture, design and art. It contains articles interviews and news as well as endorsing competitions, events and courses relevant to the disciplines. This site contained an intriguing article on the designs of Guiles Clement in relation to his literary discourse and theories.
He is described as the ‘top of his field’ due to his ‘unique methodologies’ which are articulated in his book the planetary gardener.
Beta Garden Design
http://www.gardendesign.com/article/groundbreaker-gilles-clement Accessed: 4/8/2010
This site compiles a wide range of design resources such as articles, designers, products and methodologies. It contains a good timeline of Clements work and ends the article providing the quote from him referring to the garden as: “accessible to everyone - promising nothing and giving everything.”
Tree Hugger
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/02/environment_app.php
Accessed: 4/8/2010
A discovery company with a web site spanning the sustainability movement, tree hugger offers a myriad of articles, forums and other resources.
Here I found a Design and Architecture article by Bonnie Alter, London. Environment : Approaches for Tomorrow. This brought to light some of Clements other work focusing on a chandelier. “The chandelier which is made of a mixture of rubbish and plants gathered on a vacant site near the museum”… it contains items such as “cell phones and pens to hypodermic needles and packaging all preserved in acrylic, these items are suspended from the ceiling in a cluster.
http://dmooredesign.blogspot.com/2008/05/gilles-clment-from-garden-in-motion-to.html - Accessed: 10/8/2010
The art, science and politics of garden and landscape design is the slogan used by this intriguing blog – The article which interested me was - Guiles Clement : From the garden in motion to the third landscape. Posted by Darryle Moore on the 13th of may 2008 extracted from a journal of the Architectural Association School of Architecture - 20 February 2007
This article talks of Clements rejection of the fields of Landscape Architecture and Garden Design referring to himself as a Jardin Planetaire (Global Gardener). Clement is referred to in closing as having “a considered means of dealing with the dynamics of our increasingly complex understanding of the landscape, and the consequent responsibilities of our ongoing role in managing it's future”.
Agro Paris Tech
http://docpatrimoine.agroparistech.fr/spip.php?page=article&id_rubrique=31&id_article=424 - Accessed: 10/8/2010
Within a French Agricultural technology resource website was an article highlighting the need to save the Pamplemousses Botanical Garden This typifies Clements active nature in the field of conservation and management.
“Art Junction Association called upon the French landscaper Gilles Clement who produced in 2000 an unequivocal statement on the negative impact of changes proposed by the project of Mausoleum and proposed a reinstatement and a respectful upgrading of the site taken as whole. The report recommended the protection of the existing biodiversity with the support of an international scientific panel. Unfortunately, this proposal did not materialize.”
Middle path health and awareness
http://middlepath.com.au/plant/stinging-nettle_urtica-dioica_bllod-purifier-tonic.php - Accessed: 10/8/2010
This site as well as providing services and products of herbal medicine contains a reference of medicinal plants and remedies. My suspicions were confirmed that urtica dioica – the stinging nettle is indeed a highly productive and useful plant in reference to Clements use of it as a naturally occurring weed suppressant due to it’s virility.
History of gardening
http://www.gardendigest.com/timel20.htm#Start
An extensive database of key events in the gardening and design allowing a placement of Clements work amongst the greater context of the field.
Articles and Journals
Seminar of Palanga May 2002. From the Garden to the Landscape
http://www.cultureroutes.lu/php/fo_index.php?lng=en&dest=bd_ar_det&id=00000138&PHPSESSID=1084e3b293 - Accessed 8/8/2010
The dimension of gardens and landscapes within the framework of the Cultural Routes
Michel Thomas-Penette Director of the European Institute of Cultural Routes
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This speech outlines his proposed direction for public land use in Europe’s future. He draws from theoretical concerns and aesthetics including that of Gilles Clement especially in regard to ‘The Planetary Garden’. He draws comparison between Clement and William Robertson.
Pursuing genius loci: interaction design and natural places
Nicola J. Bidwell Æ David Browning James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
Received: 25 May 2008 / Accepted: 31 December 2008 / Published online: 17 March 2009 Ó Springer-Verlag London Limited 2009
“Technological opportunities to support positive relations within ecosystems and recognizing the limits of technological control”.
A pattern language: towns, buildings, construction.
Alexander C, Ishikawa S, Silverstein M et al (1977) Oxford University Press
‘‘All the life and soul of a place, all of our experiences there, depend not simply on the physical environment, but on the pattern of events which we experience there’’.
Australian aboriginal views of landscape & wilderness
Rose DB (1996) Nourishing terrains. AHC
inspired by observing the interdependency between physical terrain and situated ‘‘ways of knowing, being and doing’’ in Indigenous Australian culture.
Influence of social, biophysical, and managerial conditions on tourism experiences within the GBRWHA.
Shafer CS, Inglis GJ (2000) Env Manag 26(1):73–87
‘‘commune with nature and learn more about natural processes’’
Permaculture
Permaculture Drylands Institute, published in The Permaculture Activist (Autumn 1989):
“Permaculture: the use of ecology as the basis for designing integrated systems of food production, housing, appropriate technology, and community development. Permaculture is built upon an ethic of caring for the earth and interacting with the environment in mutually beneficial ways”.
Image Reference
The Contemporary Garden
Olsion S (2009) Phaidon press: London
Scape: 2 / 2007 - Portrait
The Planetary Gardener
International landscape design
Griffin. N (1996) Laurence king publishing: London
Design Bloom
http://www.designboom.com/contemporary/clement.html Accessed: 6/8/2010
Tree Hugger http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/02/environment_app.php Accessed: 4/8/2010
Middle path health and awareness http://middlepath.com.au/plant/stinging-nettle_urtica-dioica_bllod-purifier-tonic.php - Accessed: 10/8/2010
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