Letter from the President
Letter from the President
TIM NICKERSON , ASLA
NOW / BSLA
Each edition outdoes itself and receives even more glowing reviews from those who read it . The success of this publication has garnered attention nationally and internationally . In addition to speaking to our Canadian colleagues about our publication last year , I had the opportunity to speak to other ASLA chapter leaders this past spring at the Chapter Presidents ’ Council meeting in Washington , DC . Other chapters are so impressed with our publication that they are using it as a model for their own magazine . Charles Caleb Colton coined the phrase “ imitation is the best form of flattery .” That certainly fits in this case .
While on vacation earlier this year , I roamed the magnificent gardens of Versailles . It was incredibly fortuitous timing . Anish Kapoor ’ s contemporary sculptures were unveiled upon the landscape just as I arrived . Having visited Versailles before , the changes in the Grand Perspective and the Star Grove were considerable . While some would call them shocking , I found them remarkably quite fitting . Sure , there was a bit of contrast between the classical busts and statuary , but the Kapoor ’ s contemporary works , well ... worked in Versailles .
The published reviews are a mix of positive and negative . This work challenges the landscape and the viewer to think beyond the traditional . I see that as a success .
That is what this edition of Fieldbook is doing : providing new vantage points and challenging the reader to think about how art and landscape work toether , and possibly how they do not . In my view , the editorial team has achieved and surpassed that goal . Get ready for yet another stellar edition of BSLA Fieldbook .
This publication will only continue to get stronger with new topics , new content , and additional members supporting its development . Just is the case with our chapter . This fall will mark the end of my time as BSLA President . At the end of the ASLA Annual Meeting in November , I will be handing over the figurative gavel to Cheri Ruane , our current President-Elect . I know BSLA will be well represented with her leading our Executive Committee and membership . Over the coming year , I will be a bit more in the background , but not entirely gone ( you can ’ t get rid of me that easily ) as I will be the Immediate Past President for the next year .
It has been a fantastic ride serving as your President . When I became President at the end of the 2013 Annual Meeting in Boston , we were at a peak of activity and involvement . My goal then was just to maintain the momentum that we developed during our planning for that event . I am proud to say that we have achieved that , and we may have even surpassed that with initiatives such as Fieldbook . I am looking forward to being a supportive member of Cheri ’ s team and being involved in new roles .
Boston Society of Landscape Architects Fieldbook
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