Kidney-shaped pools, boomerang curves, floating cantilevered decks, adventure playgrounds, sculptural Japanese maples, revolutionary new materials, the melding of Modern forms and classic sensibilities. Often experimental and innovative, these gardens and landscapes possess subdued transitions between indoors and outdoors, yet they have often been misunderstood and underappreciated.

 

Do you know of a Modernist residential property that is in the path of progress? Perhaps a Post-War park or plaza that is scheduled for renovation? Or an abstract or geometric landscape design that is worth saving for future generations to study and take inspiration from? 

The Cultural Landscape Foundation (TCLF) and Garden Design magazine are teaming up to call for nominations for the 2008 Landslide program – Marvels of Modernism. TCLF, established in 1998, is the only not-for-profit foundation in America dedicated to increasing the public’s awareness of the important legacy of our cultural landscapes and helping to save them for the future. Since its inception in 2003, the Landslide initiative has spotlighted significant public and private landscapes at risk, and this year’s theme will again do so by calling attention to our diverse and unique Post-War garden and landscape heritage.

Charles Birnbaum, TCLF President, says, “Shifting American tastes have, for the past two decades, resulted in the demise and demolition of many of our most innovative and cherished Post-War designs – but, thankfully, today Modern design is having a renaissance and this thematic list will shed light on this formerly forgotten collection.”

TCLF will announce the 2008 Landslide selections in November with an online feature highlighting the history, threat, and ways to help for each on of the sites. The selected sites will be featured in Garden Design and the subject of an exhibit of original photography curated by George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film. TCLF will also honor the sites with a series of signboard exhibits to be displayed at multiple sites across the country.

 

Sponsors + Partners

Garden Design magazine and George Eastman House are proud sponsors of the Landslide initiative. Additional support fom Design Within Reach.