Gilles Clément: Gardens Are Not Just Grey at Night

The philosophy of French landscape architect Gilles Clément centers on the concept of the planetary garden, a vision that advocates for living in harmony with nature by appreciating ecosystems in all their diversity. This approach positions the gardener not as a master of the land, but as a guardian and observer of the natural world.

Clément’s work challenges the traditional distinction between nature and culture, proposing that the planet itself be viewed as a single, interconnected garden. This perspective emphasizes the belief that humans exist within nature, submerged and intimately associated with it, rather than nature existing to serve human needs.

The Garden in Movement

One of Clément’s central concepts is the Garden in Movement. In this model, the garden is shaped by the dynamism of change and the transformations of nature. Rather than imposing a rigid, static design, the Garden in Movement allows grass and trees to evolve according to natural processes.

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The origins of this philosophy are rooted in Clément’s own personal garden facing the Creuse River, where he has established areas such as The Meadow and the Valley Garden. His lifestyle reflects this commitment to ecological sustainability, utilizing solar panels on a self-built house and consuming vegetables harvested from his own fields. His guiding principle in these efforts is to do as much as possible with as little as possible against nature.

Global Applications and Projects

Clément has applied these theories to several high-profile projects in France, including the creation of the André Citroën Park and the gardens of the Quai Branly Museum in Paris.

His work also extends to commemorative spaces. The Memorial Garden for the Paris Attacks on November 13, 2015, designed by Wagon Landscaping and Gilles Clément, serves as a spatial synthesis. Located in the historic core of Paris, the garden is not situated at any of the specific attack sites. Instead, it brings the six targeted locations into a single space, allowing them to exist in dialogue with one another.

International Exchange and the Third Landscape

Clément’s theories have prompted international academic and professional exchanges, including a visit to Japan in the winter of 2015. During this visit, he delivered a lecture series at the Research Institute for Humanity and Nature, focusing on three core concepts: The Garden in Movement, The Planetary Garden and The Third Landscape.

During his time in Japan, Clément explored the relationship between Japanese nature and culture. He was guided by Emmanuel Marès, a researcher in the history of Japanese gardens, and Tomoki Yamauchi, who translated Clément’s book The Garden in Movement into Japanese. Through these collaborations, Clément sought to deepen his relationship with Japanese gardeners and examine how his theories of movement and planetary ecology translate across different cultural landscapes.

Nature is not at the service of man: we exist within her, submerged in her, intimately associated with her.

Gilles Clément