Book Launch: Landscape and Infrastructure: Re-Imagining the Pastoral Paradigm for the Twenty-First Century

Join Professor Margaret Vickery in celebrating the launch of her new book: "Landscape and Infrastructure: Re-Imagining the Pastoral Paradigm for the Twenty-First Century." Refreshments will be served!

RSVP: mvickery@arthist.umass.edu

 

By focusing an art-historical lens on pre-industrial productive systems and the effects of the Industrial Revolution on the pastoral landscape tradition, "Landscape and Infrastructure: Re-Imagining the Pastoral Paradigm for the Twenty-First Century" (Bloomsbury Visual Arts) offers insight into how to weave new approaches to productive infrastructure systems, (such as power generation, water filtration and food production) into our contemporary landscapes. With rising demand for clean energy, clean water, and locally-grown food, this study provides a historical perspective on how such systems can be integrated into our suburban and urban areas.

“In this original and timely book, Vickery establishes the continued and vital importance of art history in contemporary landscape andarchitectural design. "Landscape and Infrastructure" traces the roots and uncovers the significance of the productive activities and elements of pastoral traditions in art and designed landscapes, clearly documenting the persistent and sometimes difficult relationship of aesthetics and production in Western art. Art history is rarely as engaging for the general public to read, or as important for designers to understand.” Ethan Carr, FASLA, Professor of Landscape Architecture, University of Massachusetts Amherst.