Nature Over Again : The Garden Art of Ian Hamilton Finlay

Though Ian Hamilton Finlay's (1925–2006) famous work, Little Sparta, was voted the most important work of Scottish art, his influence—and works—is found worldwide. Nature Over Again reveals the story behind Finlay's renowned horticultural works, presenting the first study that examines all of his garden designs and “interventions.” An accomplished Scottish poet, writer, artist, and gardener, Finlay infused his garden designs with his distinct aesthetic philosophy and poetic sensibility. John Dixon Hunt situates his analysis of Finlay's gardens in the context of that broader philosophy and poetic work, drawing on Finlay's writings about the art and practice of garden design. From the Max Planck Institute in Stuttgart to the University of California at San Diego campus, the book documents how Finlay built an oeuvre of international renown—ultimately arguing that Finlay's innovations are best understood in the context of the long tradition of European gardens. Copiously illustrated, Nature Over Again brings the work of this distinguished modernist to vivid life. Though Ian Hamilton Finlay's (1925 2006) Work Little Sparta Is, According To Sir Roy Strong, 'the Most Important Garden Made In Britain Since 1945', His Influence - And Work - Is Found Worldwide. Nature Over Again Reveals The Story Behind The Majority Of Finlay's Renowned Garden Installations, And Is The First Study To Examine His Garden Designs And 'interventions' In A Consequential Way. An Accomplished Scottish Poet, Writer, Artist And Gardener, Finlay Infused His Garden Designs With A Distinct Aesthetic Philosophy And Poetic Sensibility. John Dixon Hunt Situates His Analysis Of Finlay's Gardens In The Context Of That Broader Philosophy And Poetic Work, Drawing On Finlay's Books, Prints And Other Written Reflections About The Art And Practice Of Garden Design. From The Max Planck Institute In Stuttgart To The Serpentine Gallery In London To The University Of California At San Diego Campus, The Book Documents How Finlay Built An Oeuvre Of International Renown, And Ultimately Argues That Finlay's Innovations Are Best Understood In The Context Of The Long Tradition Of European Gardens. Copiously Illustrated, Nature Over Again Brings The Work Of This Distinguished Modernist To Vivid Life, Making It An Essential Read For Horticulturists, Landscape Designers And Historians Alike.--jacket. Words Of A Dead Poet -- Garden Matters : 'a Tangible Image ... ' -- From Page To Garden -- Detached Sentences -- Fragments, Excerpts & Incompletions -- Inscriptions -- 'spaces Full Of Doubt' -- ' ... The Hideous Process Of Secularization' -- Mare Nostrum -- Et In Arcadia Ego -- [neo-]classical Landscapes -- Revolutions -- Errata, Or Recovered In Translation -- 'mower Is Less' -- A Solid Place -- Gardens Matter. John Dixon Hunt. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 183-194). Annotation Though Ian Hamilton Finlay#x92;s (1925#x96;2006) work Little Sparta is, according to Sir Roy Strong, #x91;the most important garden made in Britain since 1945#x92;, his influence #x96; and work #x96; is found worldwide. Nature Over Again reveals the story behind the majority of Finlay#x92;s renowned garden installations, and is the first study to examine his garden designs and #x91;interventions#x92; in a consequential way. An accomplished Scottish poet, writer, artist and gardener, Finlay infused his garden designs with a distinct aesthetic philosophy and poetic sensibility. John Dixon Hunt situates his analysis of Finlay#x92;s gardens in the context of that broader philosophy and poetic work, drawing on Finlay#x92;s books, prints and other written reflections about the art and practice of garden design. From the Max Planck Institute in Stuttgart to the Serpentine Gallery in London to the University of California at San Diego campus, the book documents how Finlay built an oeuvre of international renown, and ultimately argues that Finlay#x92;s innovations are best understood in the context of the long tradition of European gardens. Copiously illustrated, Nature Over Again brings the work of this distinguished Modernist to vivid life, making it an essential read for horticulturists, landscape designers and historians alike Imprint......Page 6 Contents......Page 9 Preamble......Page 13 1 Words of a dead poet . . .......Page 17 2 Garden matters: ‘a tangible image . . . ’......Page 20 3 From page to garden......Page 25 4 Detached sentences......Page 40 5 Fragments, excerpts & incompletions......Page 45 6 Inscriptions......Page 61 7 ‘Spaces full of doubt’......Page 77 8 ‘ . . . the hideous process of secularization’......Page 84 9 Mare nostrum......Page 90 10 Et in Arcadia Ego......Page 96 11 [Neo-]classical landscapes......Page 102 12 Revolutions......Page 111 13 Errata, or recovered in translation......Page 122 14 ‘Mower is Less’......Page 139 15 A solid place......Page 144 16 Gardens matter......Page 150 Appendix......Page 179 References......Page 185 Acknowledgements......Page 197 Photo Acknowledgements......Page 199