'Wings of the Dawn' in Brookgreen Gardens
A thought provoking question was posed to me recently: “what is a distinctly “Christian” garden?” I thought I’d try to answer it in this blog to conclude the subject of gardens over the past month. It is easier to answer “what is a “Buddhist” garden?” than “what is a Christian garden”, since the garden style developed in their monasteries (integral to their meditation practices) is very distinct. The style that is easy to recognize in the raked gravel patterns and surrounding pruned forms of pines, junipers, maples and azaleas. A typical Christian building for worship (what most people refer to as “a church”) is easy to recognize, characterized by steeples with crosses, stained glass, pews, etc. It is the universal recognition of these elements that result in the pronouncement as a Christian church. Though we (Architects for Ministry) use the aforementioned elements infrequently in our designs, and use the term “church” to apply to the congregation rather than the building, it would still be the use of distinctive elements that would create a “Christian” garden or landscape.
Acknowledging that pews, steeples and stained glass are not appropriate to use in a garden, the reasonable question at this point is: “what are appropriate garden design elements to convey a Christian message?” To this I would respond literal, literary, interpretive and symbolic elements. And for all of these elements to make a garden or park-like landscape, there needs to be a theme (design style) that unites them.
The first element of the four – literal – would be using plants from the Bible or in some way recreating an environment described in the Bible. About 20 years ago, I designed a Plants From the Bible garden area for the Friends of Israel. (There were a limited number of literal plants we could use because of the climate differences, so we had to substitute with some similar plants.) Each plant would be marked with a plaque explaining where in the Bible it was referred to and what the use or significance of the plant was. Other places such as the Holy Land Experience in Orlando (www.holyland-orlando.com) have tried to literally recreate aspects of the environment, in particular the garden tomb. These would be literal elements of design.
The second element – literary – would be the inclusion of text to be read. The text could be scripture versus, poetry pertaining to the Christian life, or suggestions for prayers and reflections in a particular part of the garden. The text could also explain symbolism, patterns or themes in the park or garden to assist in understanding abstract aspects of a design. One of the more inspirational gardens I have seen in this regards is Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, SC. (www.brookgreen.org). Though not a “Christian garden” per se, there is ample verse that points towards God in carved stone plaques scattered throughout the gardens. However, the distinctive feature of this garden is the phenomenal sculpture collection that is staged in garden rooms. Though not many of the pieces there are “Christian” in subject matter, there are some that clearly represent the third element of interpretive expression.
My favorite sculpture at Brookgreen is “Wings of the Dawn”. It features a large hand (God’s) with a person stretched out in it, being carried by two geese in flight. This sculpture in an interpretive expression of Psalm 139:9. Interpretive expressions can also be in the form of a water feature, an arrangement of plants, rocks or other built elements. In most instances it is helpful to include some text with explanation for the viewer to understand the intended meaning of the abstract expression.
The final element would be symbols, the most common of which is the cross. Other symbols include the Ichthus fish, a communion cup, gathered wheat, a dove, etc. Each of these has a specific origin in Christian thought or tradition, and can be incorporated into a garden in several ways. The symbols can be used as sculpture, carved in garden elements, form a pattern in a walkway, or even be created by an arrangement of plants in a bed. Explanation is usually not needed in the same way that it is for interpretive expressions.
With the various possible Christian expressions in garden elements, combining them in a unifying theme or style is the key for making the place worth visiting. This is where the art aspect of garden design comes into play. Themed landscapes occur on the small scale in a front yard, and on a large scale in parks and places such as theme parks. I find the plantings and arrangements in most theme parks fascinating because of the varied styles that are effectively achieved. Sesame Place in nearby Langhorne uses lots of bright primary colors in low plants, paving and accessories such as benches and even trash receptacles. Common plant forms are pom-pom flowers and animal topiaries. The feeling is open, bright, sunny. In contrast, Universal Studio’s Jurassic Park Island of Adventure overshadows with dense tropical plantings, evoking a feeling of smallness and mystery. Sesame Place celebrates the concepts of play and being a child; Jurassic Park of mystery and danger. Neither of these styles would be appropriate for the distinctly “Christian” park, but they are clear examples that illustrate the concept of themed gardens.
Can a garden or park be distinctly “Christian” in its design? I believe so, in much the same way that a building can be considered a church. The artful arrangement of literal, literary, interpretive and symbolic elements in a unified style is the key. And perhaps such places can even include a space for outdoor gatherings in worship. (If only that virgin forest cathedral I experienced 30+ years ago could be transplanted!)
