On Saturday John and Alfredo trimmed our new hedge, behind the pool, for the first time. I'm sorry that I did not take a before shot, but I like this picture because the hedge still has some growing to do, but even so one can see how structural the hedge will be when it fills in.
One of my first rules of design is Order equals Beauty.
It applies to most artistic pursuits. A grade school music teacher once asked my class what music was - we were stumped - the answer was "organized noise." That definition blew my little mind - so accurate and brief, yet so broad in its implications. Under the definition, the new hedge is "organized foliage." Architecture is "organized building materials", industrial design could be organized "form and function." As soon as man gives order to something it becomes more considered, and when that consideration is perceived by others, it is pleasing. Of course there are a billion different ways to organize things, and equally as many interpretations, but that would require more than a blog post to explore.
I've been watching these European Hornbeam saplings grow for two years, and that has been exciting, but the reality of the transformation, from a few disheveled plants to a new architectural element behind the pool, is more beautiful than I could have imagined. Special thanks to the landscape artists, John and Alfredo - for imposing order, for cutting it so level and perfect, for taming nature, and for speaking to me through the new hedge.
