SYMBOLISM IN 18TH CENTURY GARDENS

The Influence of Intellectual and Esoteric Currents, such as Freemasonry.
28-29 September 2006, Schloss Schwetzingen, Germany

Organizers
- OVN, foundation for the advancement of academic study of the history of
freemasonry in the Netherlands.
- Vermögen und Bau Baden-Württemberg, Amt Mannheim
- Dr. Monika Scholl and Prof.Dr.Jan Snoek

During the 18th century, freemasonry provided a social network for men of
different walks of life, including many aristocrats, intellectuals, artists
and architects. Membership of a masonic order was socially accepted at the
time and it was even fashionable to make one's membership subtly known to
others, for instance through the use of domestic objects with symbolic
decorations. Also the decoration of houses could be used in this respect.
In the same time period, garden design and landscape art incorporated
classical, mythological and religious symbolism, and gardens became an
expression of the status, personality and learning of their owners.

It was not uncommon for a garden design to include 'hidden' symbolism, for
the path through a garden to reflect a journey of initiation, or for
architectural follies to be built in the shape of masonic temples. This
symbolism was purposefully 'hidden', meant to be discovered by the initiated
or to enlighten the visitor with new insights.
Today, we are no longer familiar with common 18th century iconography and
unable to read the visual clues to the meaning of such gardens. Art historical
approaches and heritage preservation policies are traditionally based on
Christian iconography, and have largely overlooked the importance of masonic
and esoteric symbolism to art, architecture and garden design. Recent academic
studies, however, have shown the importance of masonic heritage to our
cultural collective heritage and brought the hidden symbolism in historical
gardens to the centre of attention.

This conference aims to provide an introduction into the masonic and
esoteric symbolism in 18th century garden architecture, provide an overview of
recent academic research into the subject, and raise awareness of the
importance of preserving the remaining sites as a part of our cultural
heritage.
The conference takes place at the summer residence of 'Kurfürst' Carl
Theodor in Schwetzingen, the location of one of the eldest, most intricate and
best preserved masonic gardens in the world.

Call for papers:
Students and scholars of all disciplines are invited to submit paper
proposals (in English or German) of max. 350 words, accompanied by a short
c.v. of the speaker, before 15 June 2006.

Registration:
The conference will take place at Schloss Schwetzingen, Germany. Due to the
limited number of seats available, registration in advance is required.
Registration fees: €25,- for students / PhD students (proof/photocopy of
college or university registration required); €25,- for members of OVN and
ESSWE; €50,- for other participants. Registration fees are to be payed on
arrival and include tea/coffee and conference hand outs. (Lunch is excluded.
Participants can have lunch at a café or restaurant of their choice near the
venue.) More information on the registration procedure and location will be
made available to participants at a later date.

For more information, submission of proposals, and registration, please
contact one of the following representatives of the conference organization:
- drs. Monika Scholl, Schwetzingen <heinz.p.freyt-online.de>,
- dr. Jan Snoek, Univ. Heidelberg <Jan.Snoekurz.uni-heidelberg.de>,
- drs. Andrea Kroon, OVN <infostichtingovn.nl>.