BSLA Fieldbook Archive | Page 39

artists . The undertaking stemmed from my desire to activate spaces in a new and exciting way , to support and celebrate the endeavors of local artists , and to create meaningful programming outside of a traditional gallery context that would have a positive impact on the city I called home .
Driven by excitement , I threw myself into IAI head on . I traveled out to Georges often and began jotting down observations , drawing diagrams , and photographing countless sites , curious nooks , and textured surfaces in the landscape . As I reviewed my tomes of notes and combed through thousands of pictures of non-descript granite walls , I quickly realized that my role as a ‘ curator ,’ and standard protocol in general , would have to go out the window . I adopted a laissez-faire approach : instead of my natural inclination to pair an artist with a particular site , I invited the artists to explore the islands , freely unburdened by assignment or agenda , and determine for themselves which sites ignited their imaginations . I evolved into a liaison , keeping the wheels greased , lines of communication open , and overseeing the ins and outs of the entire initiative . My main role on Georges was to navigate the delicate dance between ensuring that artists were able to create work in line with their artistic visions while
at the same time remaining sensitive to the parks partners ’ needs who , as caretakers of the island , have visitor safety and risk mitigation , rather than artistic triumphs , at the forefront of their minds .
For the Georges portion of IAI called Cove , I invited a group of 11 regional artists and collectives to create site-responsive work for the island . These artists were selected not only for their technical abilities , but for the just-as-important intangible traits I knew would be required to tackle a project of this magnitude and complexity : dependability , flexibility , positivity , unrivaled moxie , and a collaborative spirit . I needed a team of artists who were willing to brave these uncharted waters with me and , fortunately , I found them . Some I had worked with in the past , and some I admired and hoped to work with in the future .
As the artists began making their way out to the islands , I was eager to learn about their adventures . Each diverse section of Fort Warren is imbued with its own unique character and charm it was hard to predict who would choose which site , and in what way they would approach it . The warmth of the wooden interiors of the bakery with its beckoning brick ovens are vastly different from the granite caverns of the Dark Arches , an area that not only
Boston Society of Landscape Architects Fieldbook
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