Gardens in the Machine

Gardens in the Machine: a one-day environmental philosophy intensive for adults in NYC

This intensive brings students to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to explore historical and cultural philosophies of nature as expressed in Greek and Roman art, and in Romantic and Impressionist landscape paintings. After lunch, a walk across Central Park allows us to consider the “garden in the machine” landscape architecture of Frederick Law Olmstead, and experience the vivacity of one of the world’s pre-eminent public green spaces. Our stroll takes us to the American Museum of Natural History, where we spend the afternoon absorbing the exhibits in the Hall of Biodiversity, and considering two things: the evolutionary cosmology of Charles Darwin, and how modern science “constructs” nature.

Gardens in the Machine will be held for each month of Feb., March, April, for a total of 12 session-days. There is a limit of five students for each session, making a total of 60 students.