The ?Hidden Gardens?, due to be initiated with a series of openings in June 2003, is Scotland?s first permanent pluralistic sanctuary garden, a unique public space that cuts across all divisions of age, background and ethnicity, and celebrates the universal spirit of nature through horticulture and the diversity of human culture, writesPaddy Cuthbert.
The project will transform a derelict 5,000 square metre industrial site behind the Tramway International Arts Centre in East Pollokshields, Glasgow, into a contemplative open space, where the diverse communities of the city and visitors alike can find respite and tranquillity from urban pressures.
The Hidden Gardens is spearheaded by nva organisation, one of Scotland?s most ambitious arts charities, which has encouraged international pioneering artists to produce some of Europe?s greatest site-specific events across mixed media. Underlying the intensive development process of the Hidden Gardens project has been the charity?s increasing pursuit to understand international landscape traditions and rituals, particularly in relation to Asia and its correlation with Celtic cultural history. It was its drive to understand and link seemingly disparate cultures that led the company in 2000 to explore the creation of a reflective, contemplative open space in an urban setting.
The Hidden Gardens is one of Glasgow?s first permanent public gardens to be developed through an international creative collaboration, with a series of artworks including land sculpture and permanent installations forming an integral part of the overall design. The landscape design has been guided by long-term consultation with the local community and responds to the site history, incorporating a unique fusion of Celtic and Asian influences. This is reflected in the hard landscaping, original artworks and a carefully chosen planting structure, with particular reference to the Scottish Asian community.
The funding for the project has surpassed all expectations. For the initial site clearance, build phase and three-year events and workshops programme, over £1.5m has been raised through the National Lottery Artists in Public Places Scheme, Glasgow City Council and a total of 30 other public and private funders. There will be permanent jobs for a head gardener, a horticultural support team and a resource manager, and the funding has enabled the creation of a training nursery, demonstration beds, community headquarters and office space at the heart of the gardens.
The Hidden Gardens aims to become a physical expression of real social change through a programme of participatory events, training, workshops and talks. This includes a two-year events programme funded by Scottish Natural Heritage, the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, the Gulbenkian Foundation, the Northern Rock Foundation and Tramway. Usage will be defined by the governing principles of the garden starting with four annual Festivals of Light focusing on Midsummer, Diwali, Eid and Christmas. From the project?s inception, nva organisation, in conjunction with professionals in the field of education and outreach, has worked to create an achievable and powerful programme, involving primary school children and young people throughout Scotland. This national schools programme has involved the production of an almanac of local flora and fauna, a bank of ideas and information that will provide a direct connection to the overall project, creating local/individual Hidden Gardens projects across the country.
The gardens will position themselves as a local, as well as national resource, working with all relevant agencies to support relevant environmental and sustainability programmes in the area. It is hoped to develop such a unique attraction that its value grows over time, and varying communities instinctively claim it for themselves out of pride of place and identification with something of fundamental value.
Paddy Cuthbert is Director of Podge Publicity. t: 0131 624 0249; e: paddy@podge.co.uk; w: http://www.nva.org.uk