Topic of the academic year 2019/20: Garden concepts

Throughout human history, the garden has not only served practical purposes such as food production, but has also always been a model of an ideal habitat, a microcosm. In this respect, it was and still is both a critique of existing reality and a design for a better world. It reflects political conditions and social structures, scientific knowledge and religious ideas. It is closely interwoven with the arts of the time, especially with architecture, whose principles are also used for the design of (green) outdoor spaces.

The lecture presents gardens from selected epochs and regions of the world and analyses them in the context of the respective cultural conditions (in the broadest sense).

The winter semester is dedicated to  garden history, the summer semester to contemporary garden concepts.

TEACHING MATERIAL IS PROVIDED ON THE BASE

Format: UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE, THE ENTIRE COURSE WILL BE HELD VIA ZOOM and will include lectures, student presentations and guest lectures. The exhibition talks in the museum are cancelled,  visits to gardens in Vienna will be postponed and can perhaps be made up for in autumn.

Analysis and presentation of a garden or garden theory during the lecture (including a short written summary of this presentation). Active participation in class. Examination in the form of a group discussion at the end of the semester. (UNCHANGED MODALITIES, BUT PERFORMED VIA ZOOM)

The course is held in English.