Project Kepos: The Garden of Lights and the Crossing of Boundaries

The Kepos Project – Meetings on Archaeology and Landscape continues, an annual conference series promoted by the Fondazione W. Walton and Giardini La Mortella. Curated by Mariangela Catuogno, the interdisciplinary program offers reflections on the extraordinary Italian and international cultural heritage. This year’s edition is dedicated to the memory of the centenary of Lady Walton and to her work in creating the remarkable La Mortella Gardens.

The third event, which will take place at the Giardini La Mortella on May 28 at 7:00 PM, in line with the celebrations for Lady Walton’s centenary, is dedicated to the history and evolution of botanical gardens created during the eighteenth century.

The speaker will be Massimo Visone, Professor of History of Architecture at the University of Naples Federico II, with a lecture entitled:

“The Garden of the Enlightenment and the Crossing of Borders.”

During the Enlightenment, a cultural revolution began that led to profound changes in customs and ways of life. Over time, this transformation influenced every aspect and space of daily life in Europe. One way to observe this shift is through the design of the gardens belonging to Europe’s ruling dynasties. Architecture evolved from the geometric and orderly parks of royal residences — mirrors of the Ancien Régime — to landscape gardens, better known as English gardens, inspired by the homeland of the cultural revolution underway.

The lecture will explore key questions:

What were the main models of reference?
What broader context gave rise to this new idea of nature?
How did nature and artifice coexist during these transitional years?
How was the new informal park design received in Europe’s absolutist courts?

Following opening remarks by Alessandra Vinciguerra, Professor Massimo Visone will present the lecture in the museum hall of the Giardini La Mortella.

The event will be moderated by Dr. Mariangela Catuogno, Scientific Director of the Kepos Project.