Ayrlies, New Zealand
Throughout history, gardens have reflected our vision of paradise*
In an all-new public exhibition
opening September 23, 2006 - and coinciding with the unveiling of
the Chicago Botanic Garden's newly renovated Education Center -
In Search of
Paradise: Great Gardens of the World
expands visitors' imaginations as they embark on a sensory
journey of contemporary gardens from around the globe.
With text by internationally known garden writer Penelope Hobhouse
and including the writing of Charles Jencks, British architectural
critic, writer and garden designer, more than 125 full-color
photographs, many measuring 4 by 6 feet, tell the story of
contemporary garden design.
"From Brazil to Singapore, from South Africa to Australia, our
exhibition presents images of the world's great gardens by the
world's preeminent garden photographers," says Susan Boothe,
manager of exhibitions at the Garden. "In
Search of Paradise
looks at how the use of new materials, a concern for ecology, and a
desire to bring nature to urban environments has changed the look of
contemporary garden design. Inspiring and innovative, these gardens
- like contemporary art, literature and music - tell us who we are
and what we value."
In Search of Paradise
explores a number of themes, including historic and contemporary
gardens featuring water as their central design element. Other
themes include the art and science of ecological gardening, and
bringing nature to the city. Andy Cao, Kathryn Gustafson and Charles
Jencks are just a few of the renowned garden designers featured.
Photographers include Nicola
Browne, Andrew Lawson and Alain Le Toquin, among others.
*This text is a reproduction on of
the presentation
of the exhibition by the Chicago Botanic Garden