Women in the Dirt: Landscape Architects Shaping Our World

Landscape architect Carolann Stoney profiles seven women working in her chosen field in this informative documentary that opens with commentary from University of Washington professor Thaisa Way, who notes that although histories of the profession often focus on male practitioners, females have long been active. All of Stoney's subjects reside in California, and for the most part they prefer to work with the state's Mediterranean climate rather than against it, using various low-maintenance shrubs, trees, and flowers to create designs that are often quite stunning. Stoney sees these professionals as combining art with function in their parks, gardens, and street-scapes. From the subjects' perspective, they are melding their ideas with the needs of their clients and communities, so some degree of constructive compromise is inevitable. The interviewees come across as artists, horticulturists, structural engineers, and environmentalists, each of whom adhere to different styles and philosophies. While Isabelle Greene concentrates on flora and organic shapes, Pamela Palmer focuses on water and angularity. Although most of their commissions are for high-end individuals and organizations, Andrea Cochran has created calming gardens for low-income properties, like San Francisco's Curran House, while Mia Lehrer has been working for years to transform the 32-mile Los Angeles River Basin, possibly the most ambitious project featured here. Stoney's other subjects are Katherine Spitz, Lauren Meléndrez, and Cheryl Barton, and she adds context-providing commentary from writers, editors, sculptors, urban designers, city commissioners, and other landscape architects. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (K. Fennessy)