PREFERRED ICONOGRAPHY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW GARDEN IDENTITY PhD candidate: Mina Kaboudarahangi Supervisory Committee: Associate Professor LAr. Osman Mohd Tahir, PhD (Chairman) Professor LAr. Mustafa Kamal M.S, PhD LAr. Suhardi Maulan, PhD Faculty Design and Architecture Universiti Putra Malaysia 16 February 2011

Content of Presentation  Why I have done this study?  How I carried out the study?  What are my findings?  Why my findings are important? Problem Statement Research questions Aim & Objectives Study Methods Data Collection Data Analysis ResultsTriangulation Achieve Objectives Aim Knowledge contribution Recommendation for further study

Problem Statement Globalization provided conditions for which ideas, knowledge, customs, values and cultures are transferred worldwide Connections between people and places creates the circumstances for the development of localization The development of a new garden identity could be one of the important aspects of identity development for nations Problem Statement

Malaysia in Search of Garden Identity Malaysia has great potential and interest to develop a distinct garden identity of its own This is a multiracial, multicultural, country It can be presumed that people’s opinions on a distinctively Malaysian garden will be different too Problem Statement Challenges Economic Social Cultural Political

Different activities People’s preferences Aesthetic values People’s lifestyles people’s identity Primary Findings Garden identity People’s needs Garden development Primary Data Gardens are artistic phenomena with a long lasting relation with the other branches of art The study focused on visual and aesthetic quality of gardens Gardens are artistic phenomena with a long lasting relation with the other branches of art The study focused on visual and aesthetic quality of gardens

Primary Findings & Definitions Study defined iconography as the image or images that describe symbolic meaning, and traditional heritage of a place It discussed that well established gardens could present their unique iconographies The iconographies should display the content and spatial organization of gardens, hence they can affect preferences Primary Data

Research Questions The main question posed in this study is what the iconography of new developing gardens should be? How can we recognize a garden’s identity through its iconography? What are the preferred iconographies of established gardens? Why do people prefer these selected gardens’ iconographies? What can we conclude to be the preferred iconography of new developing gardens? Research questions

Aim and Objectives Aim & Objectives

Research Framework Study on selected gardens (Persian-Islamic, English, Chinese & Japanese) Study on identity, iconography, preferences and their corporation with garden development Introduction Identify the process, issues and elements of garden identity development Identify iconographic method in relation to gardens & preferences Conceptual framework for the development of garden identity through an iconographic approach Recognition of a methodology to identify preferred garden iconography Discovering Malaysian preferences of garden iconography through photo surveys Experts’ opinions of the garden identity development, iconographies & preferred scenes Preferred garden types, elements & scenes in addition to the factors that affect preferences of garden iconographies Specific qualities of garden iconographies, issues & challenges for the development of gardens in Malaysia Preferred iconography for the case study & the factors that can contribute to the formation of Malaysian gardens Preferred garden iconography for the development of a Malaysian garden identity Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4 Stage 5 Study Methods Literature Review Conceptual Framework Methodology Result & Discussion Conclusion

Project garden’s identity Garden elements Art Iconography & Garden Iconography Iconography As a tool Results from Literature Data from Literature History Philosophy Collection of garden images International visual language Reflecting various ideas

Pre-iconographical description Iconographic Method Results from Literature Data from Literature The iconographic method Iconographical description Iconographical interpretation

symbolic ideology sense of place aesthetic beauty vegetation climate nature spirituality belief religion philosophy myth stories meanings memories culture sense of history sense of belonging community identity materials activity architectural features technology They are classified in terms of visual and tacit qualities; philosophy, culture and community identity are not visual and they affect and embody the design and creation of visual qualities, the visual qualities are recognized as architectural features, nature and technology Key Issues Affecting Garden Development Results from Literature Data from Literature

The Elements Presenting Garden Identity This study defined the garden as an artistically designed place, which contains specific elements that emerge from culture and that are influenced by particular social relationships Results from Literature Data from Literature

More About Garden… Results from Literature Data from Literature

Garden identity (why) Culture (how) People (who) Garden iconography (what) Suggest a Method for Garden Identity Development Development of Garden Identity with Iconographical Approach in Relation to the Theory of Garden Design Conceptual Framework

The Process of Garden Identity Development time & people Conceptual Framework

Determining Garden Identity Using the Iconographic Method Iconographic method Recognizing:  visual qualities:  Garden elements Identify people:  Identity Culture Philosophy Iconographic method Recognizing:  visual qualities:  Garden elements Identify people:  Identity Culture Philosophy Displayed iconography Established gardens (have identity) New gardens (create identity) Present images Preferred iconography Suggest image Results from Literature Data from Literature Conceptual Framework

The Process of Creating an Identity for New Developing Gardens Established gardens Displayed iconography Tacit qualities  Community identity  Culture  Philosophy Tacit qualities  Community identity  Culture  Philosophy Have Identity Suggested iconography New developing gardens Visual qualities  Technology  Architecture  Nature Visual qualities  Technology  Architecture  Nature Create Identity People preferences Via iconography both tacit & visual qualities are recognizable Suggested iconography recognizes preferred visual qualities Tacit qualities could be recognized by study of people’s cultural backgrounds Triangulation

a model for the development of garden identity with an iconographic method was suggested Triangulation Achieve Objective 1 Garden is a visual phenomenon Tacit & visual qualities of gardens were identified

Preferred Garden Iconography Survey Iconographies of selected gardens (English, Persian Islamic, Japanese & Chinese) were presented to the respondents Garden types Helpful elements Scenes that like to see in Malaysia Elements that like to see in Malaysia Results from Surveys

There were significant differences among the ethnic groups in their preferences for the Chinese and Persian Islamic gardens There was a broad agreement among ethnic groups of respondents on Japanese gardens as the most preferred garden type Architectural features, plants and water features were identified as the most helpful garden elements in recognizing garden types They were also selected and preferred for Malaysian gardens Results from Surveys

Triangulation Achieve Objective 2 The most preferred scenes Large areas of clear, clean and reflective water (lake & basin) Local plants combined with water and architectural features Architectural features reflecting identity &combined with nature Sense of mystery/legibility/tranquility & relaxation The least preferred scenes Many architectural features/a few plant and water features The most preferred type Artistic setting, designed to be appreciated, manifestation of culture & philosophy, harmony with nature

Preference Dimension Analysis Different categories for the classification of garden scenes were recognized Dimensions were qualitatively analyzed in terms of their contents and spatial organizations Results from Surveys

Positive affect Clear, clean & reflective water with soft edges Light green domesticated plants Plants combined with water or few architectural features Negative affect Messy plants with dark colours Plants combined with many architectural features Both positive & negative affects axes, directions and focal points sense of curiosity leading to an uncertain place with a sense of fear Triangulation Factors Affecting Preferences

Spatial Organizations Legible settings were preferred Mysterious scenes that led to a certain place Complex and mysterious scenes reinforced fear are not preferred Triangulation Achieve Objective 3

Formation of Malaysian Gardens It concluded that cultural differences caused differences in preferences and philosophical matters Study recommended to consider cross-cultural differences alongside physical appearance of garden Preferred elements and their spatial organizations could be considered in the formation of Malaysian gardens Results from Surveys

A Proposed Model for the Development of a Malaysian Garden Identity Iconography (what) Malaysian Garden identity (where/why/when) Visual qualities (how) People (who) Tacit qualities (how) Identity: - History (differs between ethnics) -Belonging (can be shared between ethnics during time) Culture: - Myth (differs) -Story (differs) -Meaning (differs) -Memory (can be shared) Philosophy: -Spirituality -Belief -Religion (all are different for ethnics) Technology: -materials (new/light) -activities (maintenance/ traditions) Architecture: - local forms (old patterns/ motifs/rural areas/stilts/ventil ation/roofs/local materials) Nature: -climate (tropical) -vegetation (local/tropical) Preferences - Cultural differences of ethnic groups -Water : clear,clean, reflective, sense of purification/tranquility -Plant :symbolism/domesticated/ well arranged -Architecture (posing identity, combined with nature, few elements) -spatial organization (mysterious, legible, sense of tranquility) Achieve Objective 4 Triangulation Achieve Aim

Contributions of the Findings Knowledge contribution Preferences of Garden types, elements & iconography Differences between preferences of ethnics Pinpoint the exact nature and total interest in gardens for Malaysia Conceptualized an iconography that could be publicly accepted for Malaysian gardens, and project the nation’s identity

Study determined affecting factors on preferences of garden iconographies Recommended factors that could contribute to the formation of a Malaysian garden identity Findings of the study add to the basic knowledge of Malaysian garden Help to open new horizons for landscape architects and garden enthusiasts in the creation of Malaysian gardens Knowledge contribution

Process of garden identity development Key issues influence garden identity development Specific garden elements reflecting garden identity any community interested in the development of a garden identity could benefit

Iconographic method (generally employed in the study of paintings) engaged to identify and recognizing gardens identity with their specific elements and spatial organizations This method, not only contribute to other studies of gardens, but the iconographic method can also aid the process of garden identification Suggested model can contribute to the historical knowledge and theory of garden design, and to the development of new preferred gardens Knowledge contribution

This approach can be the starting point to suggest a set of guidelines for the creation of new garden identities Study determined factors affecting preferences of garden iconographies/they can be considered by other nations to develop a garden identity that coincides with the preferences of their public Knowledge contribution

Recommendations for Further Studies Further research can focus on the specific moods, colours, smells, textures and other senses offered by gardens Recommend further study Garden visual appearance Delight different senses emotions & minds Functional values & Human needs SustainabilityMaintenance New technology & materials

For Malaysia, prospective studies can be narrowed down to cross-cultural differences and similarities in the preferences of gardens Recommend further study Water features Plants Architectural features symbolism & locality Survey & Observation shape, quality & appearance of these elements

Researchers could also examine the spatial organizations in terms of mystery and legibility Tacit qualities; identify traditions, philosophy, culture and potentials in the creation of a Malaysian garden (based on historical evidence & people attitudes towards landscape development in rural areas) Recommend further study

Publications The Potential of Iconography as a Method in the Development of a New Garden Identity-Australian journal of basic and Applied Sciences (ISI journal; ISSN ), published 5(12): , 2011 Preferred Iconography in Developing Garden Identity for Malaysia, Elixir Journal, Published 2011; 36: Visual Preferences for the Development of a Malaysian Garden Identity, Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences (ISI journal; ISSN ), published 5(11): , 2011 Iconographic Method and the Development of Emerging Garden’s Identity, Journal of Basic and Applied Scientific Search (ISI journal; ISSN ) -Accepted for publication Publications

Factors Influencing Preferences of Garden Iconographies, Pertanika, Journal of Social Sciences & Humanities (JSSH). (Manuscript ID:JSSH ) -In review A Framework for Development of New Garden Identities, Journal of Environment and Planning (ISI journal; ISSN ). (Manuscript ID: EPB ) -In review The Challenges and Potentials of Developing a Malaysian Garden Identity, Kajian Malaysia (ISI journal; ISSN ), (Manuscript ID: KM-OA )- In review Publications

Sometimes great knowledge lies in the discovery of something we did not anticipate, something that enlightens us to a new perspective. Then we are changed and enriched. Real discovery is a stairway that requires our participation, and begs us to climb, and climb some more -Arnold Palmer Thank You