Virtual-Representation of Native Species from Central Argentina

Transcription

1 Virtual-Representation of Native Species from Central Argentina Cecilia EYNARD and Miguel MARTIARENA 1 Introduction Virtual representation is one of the strategies used by visual advertising to show landscapes that still does not exist. Social perception about landscape can be shaped by advertising. Then the imaginary landscape could be translated into a constructed landscape (GOBSTER, 1996). In the real state business, the investment in advertising using virtual images produces powerful effects on the creation of collective ideas (ROGER, 2007) like wellbeing, green, grove, forest. Images have a particularly strong presence in the mass media. The use of native flora is considered as one of the strategies for sustainable landscaping (DALMASSO ET AL., 2008). In semiarid regions, such as Cordoba, this resource, appropriately used, contributes not only to a better use of water but also to the maintenance of biodiversity (CÉSERE ET AL., 1998). By displaying native flora, the new aesthetic value assigned would result in a positive valuation of the local regional landscape, and a reduction of the use of exotic flora (NEGRINI & ZALBA, 2008). In Córdoba we have observed that: The variety of plant species represented in locally produced images is limited. During our research we found no use of any native species; In some occasions constructed landscape translate the image depicted in renderings either in housing or urbanization projects; Digital libraries of graphical resources that offer optimized images to be applied in photomontages and 3D scenes do not include species of flora from central Argentina. The lack of these images represents a difficulty for designers and graphic artists who want to construct the landscape. From these observations and based on the cited bibliography and on our own experiences, we believe that it is not possible either to develop a more sustainable landscape identity or to include native plants in the landscape after a different landscape has been shown in the for sale images. As a General Aim, we have considered to develop alternative strategies to promote the integration of native plant species to the landscape design in the virtual space.

2 Virtual-Representation of Native Species from Central Argentina 149 We follow three Specific Aims: 1. To gather all information vegetal material on graphical configurations of landscape which are more commonly used in different types of renderings in central Argentina, 2. To recommend native species of flora that are associated with those different configurations, 3. To generate optimized images of native plant species to be applied as billboards in renderings and photomontages. 2 Material and Methods The methodology consists in: 1. Summary, categorization and analysis of rendering for promotion and sale (from advertising in graphic mass media and real-estate agency websites). 2. Selection of native plants visually analogous to those used in advertising formats. 3. Gathering and processing of digital photos (of selected plant species) in their fenological state that better suit the determined configurations. 4. Generation and distribution of the digital material. To gather information, we have analyzed the wide display of advertising images shown in reports of graphical press, leaflets and websites of local real-estate agencies. We have categorized images according to project typologies, their location either in the urban or rural plot and the type of vegetation showed according to the plants morphology and coloration. We have selected native species bearing in mind the following factors. First, we have considered the above- mentioned classification. Then, we have taken into account the species that are representative of the flora present in the eco-region of Chaco and Espinal. Next, we have analyzed plants in different phenological states (blooming, sprouting) so the plastic expression of the native species resembles the image of the determined configurations. Finally, we have considered their geographical distribution. For the first stage of the Library and in order to maximize the regional spectrum to be used with digital tools we have focused on plant species with a wide distribution range. The software most commonly used in the region to process real estate imaging is Autodesk 3dsmax with a post-processing in Adobe Photoshop. The vegetation primarily used is taken from digital image libraries. Then it is applied during the molding process, as a plane with a masked texture or included at the end as a photomontage. The generation of our library (to be used in a billboard format) results from an easy construction. This task was performed by students in an undergraduate program in architecture. The aim was to facilitate a basic implementation in the local architectural and 3dgraphic studios. We took photographs directly from fields and experimental gardens. We have evaluated different ways of taking photographs. We have considered the contrast between figure-

3 150 C. Eynard and M. Martiarena background and the different moments along the day. Then, we have processed the photographs using a specific software. We have designed the Library to be used either by landscape architects and not specialized users. Considering the last ones, we have designed a Card which accompanies every block of plant species. Cards are easily interpreted and present technical recommendations and data. The information is presented in three different levels: general description, recommended uses and detailed information. It also includes environmental criteria regarding the use of vegetation and other associated species. We have included this information so as to suggest a more realistic use of plant species when generating virtual landscapes. In order to provide massive accessibility to the tool, users can download a free demo from Internet. 3 Results The table shows a summary of the different types of landscape that we determined is designed in Córdoba for every typology: Typology Apartments Buildings in downtown Condominiums old houses / traditional architecture type High density housing complex Suburban neighborhoods Landscape characteristics and vegetation represented Urban trees. Outlying gardens. Gardening. Tropical image. Swimming pools. Entertainment. Urban trees. Outlying gardens. Small gardens along the car paths. Porticoes powerfull images. Golf. Plants forms Tall trees that allow the vision of the building. Compact shrubs at the base. Palm trees (different heights). Ferns. Bushes. Benchs of flowers. Low shrubs in groups. Tall european trees. Sometimes existing vegetation is to be preserved. Palms. Small groups of grass-like plants. Grass-like plants, pampa grass. Aligned palms. Bushes of flowers

4 Virtual-Representation of Native Species from Central Argentina 151 Private neighborhoods in the mountains Private neighborhoods type farms The image of natural hills is valued. Importance of landscape and distant sights. Ecological idea. Better life quality. Slow life. Intention of spontaneity and natural sights. Image of farms. Forestal windshields. Presence of animals (horses). Valuation of big spaces and the distant sights. Wild flowers. Existing native forest. Grass-like plants. Coniferous. Big trees, like Eucaliptus. Small groups of shrubs. Private neighborhoods type mountain farms Jesuits architechture image type. Screens of exotic trees of great height and autumn colors. Golf or polo fields. Trees like Liquidambar, Eucaliptus, Coniferous. Small groups of shrubs. Urbanizations Porticoes and avenues images Lines of Palm trees. Grass-like plants. Groups of shrubs. We have chosen easily recognizable typical plant. The shrubs gather in crowds forming relatively homogeneous masses in the basement of buildings or trees. This homogeneity is usually broken by a contrasting plant of different type or with slightly major size of leaves (ferns, palms, etc.). The scale of the species might be distorted to adapt to the image, frames or points of attention. In general, distant sights are valued (long views to hills, to the horizon, to the downtown). Pictures are framed with branches of autumn trees, like Liquidambar or with shrubs at the foreground. We have achieved the visual analogy of the typological configurations taking photographs of the native species in fenological states that offered a similar image. For example, a glass of gilded foliage given by autumn color is visually replaced with a yellow crown given by a profuse flowering. Based on this criteria, we have produced demonstrative material of the Acacia caven, which consists in a TIFF image with an alpha channel mask in high resolution (Fig. 1), a compatible format with graphic design and 3D programs (Adobe Photoshop, Autodesk 3dsmax, etc.), and its respective card with information for the user (Fig. 2). We have placed the material on line in the site nativasvirtuales from where a free demo can be downloaded. The repercussion of the product has been highly positive according to the evaluation returned by the users who tried it.

5 152 C. Eynard and M. Martiarena Fig. 1: Processed image of the specie Acacia caven (Espinillo). Demonstrative material in the Library of virtual Natives of the Center of Argentina. Fig. 2: Card with information for the user of the specie Acacia caven (Espinillo). Demonstrative material in the Library of Virtual Natives of the Center of Argentina. The original card is in Spanish.

6 Virtual-Representation of Native Species from Central Argentina 153 PRELIMINARY NOTE : This project, born as part of the post-graduate thesis The native plants in landscape design, Master of Landscape Architecture, Universidad Católica de Córdoba, is an ongoing project therefore it must be considered as currently under development. The works will continue at the Instituto de Paisaje during 2010 as an academic project integrating undergraduate and graduate students. 4 Conclusions The Library of Virtual Natives of the Center of Argentina is an original product, which was conceived to cover the need to use these species in the graphic communication of landscape in architecture projects. In following steps, we could consider the construction of a three-dimensional library adapted to the current visualization techniques which are being used in Córdoba (Vray proxies blocks). Once the library is available, we expect to statistically monitor the use and acceptance of different types of users. Through the integration of native species in the virtual space, we foresee valuable advances in both the landscape architecture expression and in the social construction of a regional identity in accordance with the environmental reality of the centre of Argentina. Making the native species as available as the others, the native plants would be in equal condition to be introduced in the generation of renderings, and consequently the for sale images would help to internalize a more sustainable landscape in the collective imaginary. References Césere S. M., Meehan A. R. & M. N. Boetto (1998): Plantas Nativas su uso en espacios verdes urbanos. Eudecor, Córdoba, Argentina. Dalmasso A. D., Candia R & C. Ganci (2008): Xerojardinería con especies nativas. Boletín de Extensión Científica, 6 (IADIZA-CONICET). Mendoza, Argentina. Gobster, P. H. (1996): Forest aesthetics, biodiversity, and the perceived appropriateness of ecosystem management practices. In: Brunson M. W., Kruger L. E., Tyler C. B. & S. A. Shroeder (Ed): Defining social acceptability in ecosystem management: a workshop proceeding. USA. Negrini V. L. & S. M. Zalba (2008): Germinación de Grindella ventanensis (Asteraceae), una especie endémica del sistema de Ventania (Buenos Aires). Bol. Soc. Argent. Bot., 43 (3-4), Roger, A. (2007): Breve Tratado del paisaje. Madrid: Biblioteca Nueva.