2019 edition - Gardens of paradise

Jardin suspendu 2.0

Festival International des Jardins

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon are the inspiration for this garden.

In the age of globalisation, of the generic city, where nature is gradually being buried by buildings, what place is there for earthly paradises? What place is there for dreams, for Utopia? The hanging garden of the 21^st century is focused on the future. It rises up towards the sky on a structure that frees up space on the ground. Very tall legs make it seem light, like it is floating. Plants can reclaim their place. They are the welcome guests on this structure which is designed to accommodate and showcase them.

In this ideal setting for plants, visitors stroll along a glass-covered path, with the illusion of walking on sequins. The plant curtain moves with the wind.

In this contemporary paradise, plants hover and hang down above our heads, without ever forming obstacles. All you have to do is gently part the leaves and slip through to discover the rest of the garden.

DESIGNERS

Floriana MARTY, artist/designer, and Florian VANDERDONCKT, artist/author

FRANCE

Floriana Marty was born in Montpellier. In 2007, she gained a BTSA AP (Advanced Vocational Training Certificate in Landscape Design) and in 2013 she obtained her master’s degree from the Montpellier Graduate School of Fine Arts with honours. Since 2011, she has been a member of the research group at the Montpellier Graduate School of Fine Arts, Skéné : repenser le périmètre scénique (rethinking the scenic perimeter). Her art deals with issues pertaining to utopias, she invents and designs universes, spaces and ideal fictitious towns. It takes the form of digital drawings, 3D shapes and sculpted models of the places she imagines. Since she began collaborating with Florian Vanderdonckt, she has been bringing the utopias she imagines to life, combining her know-how as a landscaper and artist.

Florian Vanderdonckt was born in Aix-en-Provence. In 2013, he obtained his master’s degree from the Montpellier Graduate School of Fine Arts with honours. Through his art, he deals with issues pertaining to urban planning and calls it into question, in the form of drawings, paintings, 3D creations and installations. His interest in architecture, art and landscaping has led him to collaborate with Floriana Marty, he is involved in designing and carrying out projects, providing the team with his aesthetic insight, design logic and painting knowledge.