THE HISTORY OF GARDENS
13 Mar 2023
Vitra Design Museum in Germany has unveiled its latest exhibition, Garden Futures: Designing with Nature, designed by Italian studio, Formafantasma that seeks to explore the past and future of gardens and the symbolism behind the outdoor spaces.
Julien de Cerval, The Gardens of Marqueyssac, France, designed in 1860s. Photography | Romain Laprade
Split into four sections, each exhibition space features both historical and contemporary designs from a variety of designers, artists and landscape architects to help answer the questions – Where do today’s garden ideals come from? Will gardens help us achieve a liveable future for everyone? 
Piet Oudolf, Oudolf Garten on the Vitra Campus, Weil am Rhein, 2020. Photography | Dejan Jovanovic
The first section of the exhibit is a media installation articulated by a range of artists and architects from around the globe. The beginning of the exhibition helps visitors understand the significance of these outdoor spaces that are so prevalent in our everyday lives. 
Derek Jarman, Prospect Cottage Garden at Dungeness, Kent, UK, from 1986. Photography Howard Sooley
Highlighting the values behind gardens, the second section of the exhibit demonstrates the effects of colonial and cultural history on gardens. From the industrial revolution to Guerrilla farming, the exhibit showcases how the landscapes have changed throughout history. 
Stefano Boeri Architetti, Bosco Verticale, Milan, 2007-2014. Photography | Dimitar Harizanov
The third section presents nine landscapes from innovative garden makers from around the globe.
The end of the exhibit highlights the future of gardens and the effects of the world’s current issues on these outdoor spaces, such as climate change, social injustice and biodiversity. Showcasing artistically designed outdoor spaces from a range of artists these gardens demonstrate the impact of our current changing world on gardens. 
Piet Oudolf, Oudolf Garten on the Vitra Campus, Weil am Rhein, 2020. Photography | Dejan Jovanovic
The exhibition will be running from 25 March – 3 October 2023 at Fire Station, Vitra Campus, Weil am Rhein in Germany.
To learn more about the exhibition, read more here design-museum.de/de/ausstellungen/detailseiten/garden-futures.html
Julien de Cerval, The Gardens of Marqueyssac, Vezac, France.
Images via designboom
