THE MOTIF OF THE MOUNT IN THE CONTEMPORARY CITYSCAPES OF EUROPE

ABSTRACT

In numerous regions of the world there are artificial mounds, pyramids or earth embankments that distinguish themselves from the surrounding due to their intentional shape pointing to the existence of sacred sites, burial places or the boundaries of protected space. A large number of them refers to the archetype of the mountain, understood as a timeless monumental form rising up to this particular point where the earthly sphere meets the heavenly one. The paper presents the new meanings of the most recognisable landforms emerging today in the European cityscapes. Achievements of such creators as Dieter Kienast or Charles Jencks become a point of reference for comparative research in the field of the semantic potential. The author also analyses examples of the “artialisation” of degraded landscapes as well as the possibilities of using the earth modeling methods in green infrastructure design. Against this background she distinguishes a trend of the landscape narration that can be perceived as specific to Poland. Its characteristic features are defined on the basis of the architectural creativity of Marek Budzynski and the earth forms which have been used in the Millennium park in Wrocław, where the artificial relief depicts specific topographical situations and events in the history of the city.

Keywords: sacred mountain, Garden of the Earth, landscape artialisation, University of Warsaw Library, Millennium park in Wroclaw