Invisible Gardens: The Search for Modernism in the American Landscape [Paperback]

Peter Walker (Author), Melanie Simo (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1996

Invisible Gardens is a composite history of the individuals and firms that defined the field of landscape architecture in America from 1925 to 1975, a period that spawned a significant body of work combining social ideas of enduring value with landscapes and gardens that forged a modern aesthetic. The major protagonists include Thomas Church, Roberto Burle Marx, Isamu Noguchi, Luis Barragan, Daniel Urban Kiley, Stanley White, Hideo Sasaki, Ian McHarg, Lawrence Halprin, and Garrett Eckbo.They were the pioneers of a new profession in America, the first to offer alternatives to the historic landscape and the park tradition, as well as to the suburban sprawl and other unplanned developments of twentieth-century cities and institutions. The work is described against the backdrop of the Great Depression, the Second World War, the postwar recovery, American corporate expansion, and the environmental revolution.The authors look at unbuilt schemes as well as actual gardens, ranging from tiny backyards and play spaces to urban plazas and corporate villas. Some of the projects discussed already occupy a canonical position in modern landscape architecture; others deserve a similar place but are less well known. The result is a record of landscape architecture's cultural contribution - as distinctly different in history, intent, and procedure from its sister fields of architecture and planning - during the years when it was acquiring professional status and struggling to define a modernist aesthetic out of the startling changes in postwar America.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

In an insightful, accessible study, Walker and Simo trace the evolution of landscape architecture in this country, highlighting the years from 1925 to 1975. The authors examine notable work by such seminal figures as Frederick Law Olmsted and by others like Hideo Sasaki, who continue to influence the field today. They also provide a lively account of the training and philosophical underpinnings motivating these artists for whom the landscape has often functioned as their canvas, albeit a spatial one. To identify and define modernism in American landscape architecture, Walker and Simo isolate formal elements that appear in outstanding examples of landscape art and which provide links with art movements of the period (such as surrealism and constructivism). Their search has led them to a very readable exploration of this modern period, with all its myriad forms of landscape design. Alice Joyce --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

Invisible Gardens: The Search For Modernism in the American Landscape is a composite history of the individuals and firms that defined the field of landscape architecture in America from 1925 to 1975. The major protagonists include Thomas Church, Roberto Burle Marx, Isamu Noguchi, Luis Barragan, Daniel Urban Kiley, Stanley White, Hideo Sasaki, Ian McHarg, Lawrence Halprin, and Garrett Eckbo. Invisible Gardens look at unbuilt schemes as well as actual gardens, ranging from tiny backyards and play spaces to urban plazas and corporate villas. The result is a record of landscape architecture's cultural contribution during the years when it was acquiring professional status and struggling to define a modernist aesthetic out of the startling changes in postwar America. Invisible Gardens will prove a fascinating historical survey to anyone with an interest in private or public gardens and the development of landscape architecture. -- Midwest Book Review

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Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: The MIT Press (August 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0262731169
• ISBN-13: 978-0262731164
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #586,346 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Very Thorough Presentation, June 28, 2001

By 

Dr Lawrence Hauser (NYC, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Invisible Gardens: The Search for Modernism in the American Landscape (Paperback)

Invisible Gardens is a well-written, lively introduction to the confluence of landscape architecture and modernism during the middle decades of the twentieth century. Although somewhat like a textbook in its style of presentation, the writing throughout is clear, incisive and often quite absorbing. And there are plenty of black and white photos and architectural renderings which accompany the text to enhance its ability to inform. But only twelve colour plates were included in Invisible Gardens. I felt a bit let-down personally by this aspect of the project. I thought the book could have used additional high quality colour plates of the often spectacular commissions under review to balance the density of the text. And to convey visually what often needs to be seen to be properly appreciated.

5.0 out of 5 stars LA in the Southeast US, May 16, 2011

By 

Yona R. Owens "Yona R. Owens" (Raleigh) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Invisible Gardens: The Search for Modernism in the American Landscape (Paperback)

A well written, concise introduction to modernist landscape architecture with two mentions of the currently being rediscovered, and as of the moment one of the uncelebrated leaders of landscape architecture in the Southeast, Lewis Clarke. Book arrived as promised by seller.