What does Landscape Mean?

 

In the reading, “Must Landscapes Mean,” Marc Treib quickly states an interesting statement saying, “Gardens have been a locus of meaning in many cultures, but not in modern America.” The word “garden” immediately evoked me to think about the different Japanese and French gardens that have been used for inspiration in American landscapes. However, when I suggest the term “American garden” I do not imagine anything in particular. After thinking about, an “American garden” or even an “American landscape,” nothing significant came to mind as did for a Japanese or French garden. The meaning of landscape in American culture is not faceted on one idea or notion. Sometimes I wonder if the idea of landscape is not valued as highly by Americans as it is in other cultures.

The discussion of the meaning of landscape resurfaced at the end of the twentieth century which leads Treib to question the significance. During this time, the modernist American landscape is beginning to reshape the world Americans inhabit. This leads Treib to suggests the resurfacing of defining what landscape means in American culture, was due to the rejection of the horrors of American history that came with historical landscapes. The modernist movement in America simply wanted a clean slate to develop a new meaning for their landscape that did not have any negative connotations. I think an interesting climax to the reading was that two prominent writers, James Rose, and Garrett Eckbo, who developed elaborate writings that challenged previous history but also new ideas for modern landscapes, did not write in any of their writings the significance or meaning of the landscapes. I think Rose and Eckbo wanted designers to develop their own meanings for their landscapes and designs. Previously, historical landscapes have had rigid significance and meaning but never the chance for two opposing opinions to be correct about one particular landscape.

Asking, the “meaning of landscape,” is analogous to asking someone what their design project in studio means. Everyone is given the same project outline, but everyone will have a different view and develop a different meaning for the project. I think Rose and Eckbo were trying to insinuate with designers in the Modernist movement that landscapes have different meanings and should not conform to just one idea or perspective. In other words, it is okay to disagree when it comes to defining the meaning of a landscape or any subject matter.  I think agreeing to disagree on any project that you are working on with clients and fellow designers is important. Many times, opposing opinions can make a project or task take longer than expected. Overall, the meaning of landscape in American culture, is not conducive to just one statement or ideology. Landscapes have different meanings that are defined by a vast majority of people who more than likely do not all agree with each other.