journal d'une transition

1341

a) Respect for the overall layout: the twelve gardens as a whole are an integral part of the general initial plan of Auroville. Each of them is inserted into a space created by the land movements around Matrimandir. Therefore the layout and form is already fixed in the master plan and will not be modified. The content and theme of each garden as a symbol to be expressed should evolve through successive experiments aiming at the perfection that Mother had wanted. b) Flexibility/Mobility: the design of the gardens will evolve from an initial prototype to progressive realisations. This will facilitate modifications without demolition. Plants and flowers coming from the nursery in containers will be moved or replaced according to the evolution of the concept of the garden. The principle of ‘mobility’ demands a production of plants and flowers in containers, which are different for each garden. It will make possible an ever evolving decoration. The obligation to assure year-round presence of flowers in all the gardens will require a constant renewal of the flowers. The necessity of a regular production will demand good planning from the Nursery. c) Collective or impersonal realisation: the realisation of the gardens should have an ‘impersonal’ character. This will imply from the designers the acceptation to participate in a collective work with a small team chosen by them. Each garden is a work in progress and becomes the creation of a team. Nobody will claim the ownership of a concept. … Specifications to be followed by the participants: - Each one of the twelve gardens is to express a state of consciousness as given by Mother. It will include the flowers designated by her. - The gardens have to be placed in the spaces and with the forms described in the Master Plan. Overall landscape and contour levels cannot be modified. They have been planned as a whole. - The water and electricity connections will not been modified without a serious justification. - The height of the trees and the bushes will have to respect the allotted openings allowing interesting perspectives. - The unity among the gardens will be looked for through the choice of materials, the harmonious selection of colours, etc. - The works involved in the realization of the gardens will have to be done keeping I mind the respect for the cleanliness and the security of the area. The delivery of the materials will be arranged at the most convenient hours. - The deadlines of the execution of the works and the estimated cost will have to be respected… “ Note: There is, as regards the conditions laid in this proposal, a double irony; on the one hand, we had, as a team, insisted that Paolo, in his study, must respect the existing contours, as designed by Roger A and executed over the years, and Paolo had painstakingly integrated them into his detailed studies of each of the twelve inner gardens as in his overall study of the entire Peace area. And on the other hand, as soon as we had been expelled from the work, Roger A and his group promptly set about destroying all the executed contours and remodelling the entire oval area as per a new design of his…!