2017 Garden Dialogues : Modernist Milestones

A Program of The Cultural Landscape Foundation 

"The Modern movement in design and landscape architecture fundamentally changed the way we think about our built environment. Through the merging of interior and exterior space, experimentation with new building materials and a steadfast approach to craftsmanship, it was thought that such 'landscapes for living' would transform something of ourselves." - The Cultural Landscape Foundation

SAVE-THE-DATE: Oct. 15, 1:30pm, Manitoga: The Spirit of Stone with Jan Johnson

Manitoga is thrilled to be included in The Cultural Landscape Foundation's Garden Dialogues : Modernist Milestones series exploring four visionary landscape designs. Space is limited for these encounters. Reserve your tickets through The Cultural Landscape Foundation. 

Caldwell Farm, Bristol, Wisconsin: Saturday, September 9th

Landscape architect Alfred Caldwell was from an early age a thinker, a dreamer and a poet. Purchased in 1948, his Caldwell Farm, a 40-acre-site initially imagined for agrarian purposes, soon became a canvas, laboratory and classroom for Caldwell's practice. 

This Garden Dialogue, which will be moderated by Charles A. Birnbaum, TCLF’s president and CEO, features a walking tour of the farm with Caldwell biographer Dennis Domer; Ron Henderson, the director of the Landscape Architecture and Urbanism Program at Illinois Institute of Technology; and finally, Richard Polansky, an orchardist, estate manager, and a long-time employee and friend of Alfred Caldwell. 

The Noguchi Museum, Queens, New York: Saturday, September 9th

Innovative landscape architect Ken Smith, designer of MoMA's rooftop garden, will offer his distinct and usually entertaining insights on Isamu Noguchi in this Garden Dialogue at The Noguchi Museum with Curator of Research, Matthew Kirsch.

Smith will examine the artistry and practicality of Noguchi's landscape design, from site planning to material choices and spatial arrangement.  He will also contextualize Noguchi's design vocabulary with 20th century landscape architecture and its impact on contemporary practice.

James Rose Center, Ridgewood, New Jersey:  Saturday, September 23rd

James Rose created landscapes mostly throughout the eastern United States, but his most famous work was his own home in Ridgewood, New Jersey---now the James Rose Center for Landscape Architectural Research and Design---a living demonstration of his approach to design as a never-ending process of change and development. 

TCLF president & CEO, Charles A. Birnbaum, and Dean Cardasis, Director of the James Rose Center for Landscape Architectural Research and Design, will examine the signature project of James Rose, who along with Garrett Eckbo and Dan Kiley, helped usher the profession of landscape architecture into the modern era. 

Manitoga/ The Russel Wright Design Center, Garrison, New York: Saturday, October 15th

Author, landscape architect, and stone aficionado Jan Johnsen will provide her unique insights into how mid-century designer Russel Wright transformed the raw material of this site into Manitoga, his house, studio and woodland garden, which today is National Historic Landmark.

Exploring this site formed out of close observation over time, Johnsen will identify the passages of Wright’s relationship with the land, connecting it to themes in her most recent publication, Spirit of Stone - Stonescaping Ideas for Your Garden. The walk will culminate on the stone terraces of Dragon Rock, overlooking the Quarry Pool.

TCLF Garden Dialogues Program Sponsors: ABC Stone, Bartlett Tree Experts, Seibert & Rice, Stone Farm, and C & G Media Group.

Photos courtesy The Cultural Landscape Foundation
Top to Bottom: Caldwell Farm, James Rose Center, Noguchi Museum