Excerpt from Epitaphs of War by Rudyard Kipling ( ) If any question why we died, Tell them, because our fathers lied.

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Excerpt from Epitaphs of War by Rudyard Kipling ( ) If any question why we died, Tell them, because our fathers lied."

Noreen Watson
6 years ago
Views:

1 1914

2 Excerpt from Epitaphs of War by Rudyard Kipling ( ) If any question why we died, Tell them, because our fathers lied.

3 represents a journey, a loss of innocence and a betrayal by the trusted. It symbolizes a world that blindly took the wrong direction and only realized when it was all too late. The designs presented here are a personal reflection and homage to the many who naively undertook the big adventure. And the millions who unwittingly were caught in the Maelstrom.

4 It had been a perfect summer the weather had been perfect. The children had played for days on end. All was peace and beauty. A quiet life full of simple pleasure. (Englund Peter. The beauty and the sorrow. An intimate history of the First World War, p4) Concept 1. Curved flow of time.

Concept 2. The linear motion of time. Authors have suggested that Europe went to war unaware of the consequences, a result of the inability of politicians to reign in the generals.

5 Concept 2. The linear motion of time. Authors have suggested that Europe went to war unaware of the consequences, a result of the inability of politicians to reign in the generals. The summer was peaceful and the majority of the population was unaware of the implications of the colonial maneuverings, the military races and the ever- complex ententes and alliances. The false tranquility of the European summer is represented in the designs through lush vegetation intermingled with decking and footpaths, a green and pleasant continent. The gathering storm is symbolized in the ever- increasing mass of stark decks rising from the vegetation and collecting in a congested mass towards the ultimate point of declaration. There is an increasing detachment from the culture and society of the established hierarchies. While the politicians sought collaboration; the armies expanded, the generals ensuring the politicians heeded the urgency to reach the field of battle first and best prepared. Both designs represent the growing arms race through striking timber vertical blocks gathering and congregating, joining in on the great adventure. The outbreak of the war in August is represented in both designs as the point where the horizontal is replaced by the vertical. The height of the garden is at its maximum at this point. In the early part of the war there was genuine hope for an early victory. Realism was quick to strike as all armies dug in and the stalemate commenced, along with the increasing casualties. The falling planes of stark white timber represent the increasing concept of total war as civilians around the world became engulfed. Society, culture and lifestyle changed forever The hopes of the soldiers fell also and are represented by the poles, falling in to the stark timber depressions. The recesses represent the digging into the ground and the commencement of the stalemate. The culmination of the journey features a garden of soldier poppies at the lowest point of the gardens. These are the focal point and the point of reflection for both designs. The power of light and shade is expressed here and used to symbolize the passage of time. The striking forms and the reflective materials affords a play of light and glimpses into and out of the space from all directions allowing a longing for the past to be symbolized and a hope that the future will be brighter. Both designs pay homage to the loss of innocence and the false hope of the great adventure. By 1915 the realities of war had changed the world forever and started a catalyst for change that is still shaping and reshaping the world today. This centenary is massive for so many reasons. Too many to express in a single garden!

6 1914 Concept 1. Curved flow of time.

Philip Larkin (1922-1985) "MCMXIV" Never such innocence, Never before or since, As changed itself to past Without a

9 Philip Larkin ( ) "MCMXIV" Never such innocence, Never before or since, As changed itself to past Without a word the men Leaving the gardens tidy, The thousands of marriages Lasting a little while longer: Never such innocence again.

10 1914 Concept 2. The linear motion of time.

16 1914

1) He was the American President during the duration of the First World War.

1) He was the American President during the duration of the First World War. 2) This was the name of the treaty that ended World War I. a) Treaty of Paris b) Treaty of Versailles c) Treaty of Munich d)