"To build, to plant, whatever you intend,
To rear the column, or the arch to bend,
To swell the terrace, or to sink the grot;
In all, let Nature never be forgot.
But treat the goddess like a modest fair,
Nor overdress, nor leave her wholly bare;
Let not each beauty ev'rywhere be spied,
Where half the skill is decently to hide.
He gains all points, who pleasingly confounds,
Surprises, varies, and conceals the bounds. 

Consult the genius of the place in all;
That tells the waters or to rise, or fall;
Or helps th' ambitious hill the heav'ns to scale,
Or scoops in circling theatres the vale;
Calls in the country, catches opening glades,
Joins willing woods, and varies shades from shades,
Now breaks, or now directs, th' intending lines;
Paints as you plant, and, as you work, designs."

- Alexander Pope,  "An Epistle to the Right Honourable Richard, Earl of Burlington"  1731

Alexander Pope’s invocation to “consult the genius of the place” still informs our thinking about the relationship between design and landscape.  The second issue of Prospect, entitled “Sited,” explores what it means to be site-specific, and how we engage with a site through its history, temporal and sensual qualities, and catalog of biological and physical components.

COLLABORATORS:

Rosemary Mayer, Marie Warsh, Hans Baumann, Charlie Howe, Nancy Seaton, Marie Lorenz, Anne O'Neill, Ruth Rae, Zac Ward, Laura Harmon, Daniela de Sola, Meghan T. Ray, Kate Papacosma, Wayne Morris, Max Warsh