I am now looking at what I think I will be submitting for my degree show, currently rather a frightening thought! I know that my work will definitely feature the growing and cultivation of plants, probably grass. I have a vision of a large space covered in turf that the viewer has to navigate across, health and safety can go shove it.
Conceptually I have been looking at the history and ideology behind gardens and in particularly the landscape gardens of the 18th century. The two models I have seen and the French and the English landscape garden. The former concerns the display of beauty using nature as a material. French gardens were grand and carefully orchestrated, relying on pattern and symmetry. They were also the property of the rich aristocracy. The English model was much more interesting, with the concerns surrounding the sublime and the emergence of the enlightenment came a new respect for the beauty and power found organically in nature. The gardens of England looked to show this natural beauty and opened up the land for leisure yet also considered functionality. Open spaces could breed livestock to raise money and offer employment. Rather than the private gardens of the upper classes, these spaces were often public, providing egalitarian environments were the populace could mingle.
I find these ideas really interesting for a 21st century context. Providing public space that is egalitarian reminds me of the WochenKlauser boat trips I discussed in my dissertation. I have a desire to connect all the areas of my practice that are currently floating around all over the place. A work which connects the social, political but has an underlying environmental context would be a perfect piece to propose for the degree show.