At Dwell, we're staging a minor revolution. We think that it's possible to live in a house or apartment by a bold modern architect, to own furniture and products that are exceptionally well designed, and still be a regular human being. We think that good design is an integral part of real life. And that real life has been conspicuous by its absence in most design and architecture magazines.

This book tells the story of Tapio Wirkkala Park. Robert Wilson's first visit to Arabianranta acted like the conductor's first downbeat in the process of creating the park. The chapter titles, derived from the world of music and opera, introduce readers to the place, the makers, the planning process, the working methods, and, ultimately, the park's artistic elements. The planning phase lasted for 9 years. The creation of the park involved the use of temporary on-site field rehearsals with the designer and members of a local project team. The actual construction of the park by the city of Helsinki took place during 2012. The book presents the protagonists of the piece: the artists Robert Wilson and Tapio Wirkkala. Articles on the art policy of the Helsinki Art Museum and on the percentage-for-art project in the Arabianranta residential area provide background information. The book also highlights the invisible, behind-the-scenes work that an art coordinator does in getting works of art realised.

While most fans know that baseball stars Ted Williams, Hank Greenberg, and Bob Feller served in the military during World War II, few can name the two major leaguers who died in action. (They were catcher Harry O'Neill and outfielder Elmer Gedeon.) Far fewer still are aware that another 125 minor league players also lost their lives during the war. This book draws on extensive research and interviews to bring their personal lives, baseball careers, and wartime service to light.

This book is not only a direct study of gardens, but also an exploration of the relationship between personal and collective culture, an important component of cultural psychology. This perspective leads to the strange but fascinating question: "How does gardening relate to human development?" Exploring the meaning of “garden” for a human being offers profound insights on the relationship between personal and collective culture. In the process of constructing of a garden, nature becomes the object, on which various liminal, aesthetic, and symbolic activities are directly performed. The term “garden” encompasses a multitude of meanings. It is a place for recreation as well as a symbol of social status and prosperity. For the gardener, it is a place of work. Feelings aroused by a garden are deeply rooted in people’s hearts and have an aesthetic significance. Throughout the book, readers will be awakened to how deeply the garden is connected to the human psyche. This book will be of interest to scholars and students of cultural psychology, as well as to anyone interested in the relationship between people and gardens (gardeners, architects, artists, farmers). Readers are encouraged to look back at their own experiences to deepen their understanding of personal and collective culture. Imagine the garden you are familiar with, be it a home garden, neighborhood park, cemetery, or schoolyard. You may find that facets of your experiences are reflected in the colorful and diverse gardens featured in this book.