landscape matters volume 5 - Flipbook - Page 5
1.
Landscape architecture
is music
Dr Ying Li
MUSIC, EMOTION AND SPACE ,
In architectural theory the relationship between emotion and
design has been discussed. This has been done at different
periods in both the east and the west, often with comparisons
to music. Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph Von Schelling (1829) first
mentioned the relationship between architecture: 'Architecture
is frozen music'… Really there is something in this; the tone of
mind produced by architecture approaches the effect of music.
The spatial sequence of architecture is a parallel to the melodic sequence of music. Both have narrative, flow, and continuity
(Scruton 1979). Architectural space is not confined to three
dimensions. Architecture and music are not related mathematically because the connecting point is that they are both about
space creation (Muecke and Zach 2007).
Confucius’ position on Chinese culture is based
on Yue ( music) and Li (ritual).
Recently, landscape architects have become interested in
exploring the emotional interaction between people and public
open space (Smith 2009). Compared to architectural design,
landscape design takes place at more scales. But there is a
certain scale, for example that of small public open spaces,
which is like the design of architectural space and in which the
relationship between music and design is more easily appreciated. Even though landscape design differs from architectural
design, the process of space creation is similar. As discussed
above, the aesthetic nature of landscape space-making is
to create spaces that have both physical and spiritual
beauty (Messervy and Abell 2007). From the users’ point of
view, 'spiritual beauty' implies that a space should connect
with the emotions. Also, like architecture, landscape
architectural design has a close relationship with music in
that it is a very direct way of expressing the mood of space.
Above: The beginning section of
Franz Liszt’s composition notes
of The Fountains of the Villa d' Este
(Liszt, 2009).
Above right:
A good example of a comparable pair is the water feature
design in Villa d’ Este and Franz Liszt’s composition Les jeux
d'eau a la Villa d'Este (The Water Fountains of the Villa d'
Este). This involves both the relationship between music and
landscape, spatial meaning and the emotional-visual connection between visual language and a musical work.
Hundred Fountains
(Cento Fontane) in the Villa d'Este
(Source: Author)
Translation: Classic Chinese landscape architecture as a
comprehensive art
In ancient Chinese culture, the academic and artistic accomplishments required for a scholar-administrator were formed
by four arts: qin (, Music), qi (, Chess), shu (, Chinese
calligraphy) and hua (, Chinese painting). Chinese Landscape Architecture is a good field in which to understand the
character of Chinese culture and the arts. Music is a leading
art. Confucius’ position on Chinese culture is based on Yue
( music) and Li (ritual). Ancient sage-monarchs would use
‘yue’ and ‘li’ to coordinate the people’s body and mind, speech,
and behavior, and achieve the aim of governing the country
well. The landscape space in Chinese gardens was often used
for entertainment especially in private residential areas. Music was one of the joys of life. Therefore, you could say that in
China, ‘landscape architecture is music’.
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