Seeing Gardens [antikvár]

ii 'I , )ili'MillIntroductionTHE GARDEN IN LIFEPerhaps no place on Earth is richer in gardens than Lake Dal. Shalimar and other grand Moghul pleasure gardens are situated on its shores. In summer the lake itself blooms with lotus. Aquatic produce gardens are tended and harvested throughout the year. But on this early spring day there were no gardens to be seen. A long, slow trip across the lake in a barren boat was ahead of us. Then we chanced upon a floating flower vendor we knew who went by the name of Mr. Wonderful. He insisted on filling the prow of our boat witli flowers. We haggled a little, paid him, and discussed his life on the lake. As our boats separated I warned him that I had seen another flower vendor on the far side of the lake the day before. He said, "That's my son." "Really," I said. "What's his name?" Over his shoulder he answered, "Little Mr. Wonderful."I turned and saw we had been given the gift: of a garden. Moments before, the boat had been cold and blank. Now flowers gave our journey the warmth of home. They did somediing to the view as well. They centered and deepened the scene and gave an intimate huiuan scale to the lake and the mighty landscape of the Himalaya.Seeing gardensin expected and especially in unexpected placeshas given meaning to my life as a photographer and traveler. Throughout the world flowers are arranged, fabrics designed, hoines situated, and views framed because people place the poetry of the garden at the center of their lives. In my work I seek to show the nature of this beauty and the connection between cultivated gardens, incidental arrangements, and die undesigned wilderness.