The Art Garden in Suzhou, China gave Dennis and Emily Bracale a glimpse of life during the Southern Song Dynasty. "We experienced past civilizations in many dimensions and through many dif- ferent frameworks," he said. COA NEWS Bracale's goal was to approach his research from a non-intellectual point of view. He attempted instead to feel, touch, sense and be inspired by the an- CH 1990 COLLEGE OF THE ATLANTIC BAR HARBOR, MAINE cient past and see in an instant the progression from the past to the present. India, Indonesia, Italy, Great Britain, He described this form of knowledge as ing Old World France, and Spain. These countries, Bra- seeing not merely the physical structures cale felt, had developed a true designed during the Renaissance, for ex- ures through landscape aesthetic such that the garden ample, but as "seeing the inspiration of Iscapes for them was one of the primary the Renaissance, the Zen of the Zen, mediums through which culture was ex- and the Tao of the Tao." pressed and knowledge defined. Bracale Through his studies and observa- : in the ancient world" is the way chose to study the physical forms of the tions, Bracale became aware of the con- Bracale '88 describes his year- gardens, temples, and other significant tinuum of time. He was able to see and If experience traveling through structures of landscape composition in distinguish between key time periods different countries, visiting and his effort to gain a sense of the culture when civilizations flourished and faded. phing gardens, temples, and an- and history of these places. He became keenly aware of the strong ns. As a 1988 Thomas J. Watson In addition to observing gardens and philosophical divergence between East- racale's intention was to study prominent landscape features, Bracale ern and Western cultures as manifested cultural beliefs influence constantly immersed himself in histori- through different styles of garden e design. In addition he wanted cal texts, and religious and philosophical design. The effects of recent cultural W the principles of design are writings relevant to the areas of study in merging were also evident in the create artistic landscapes, and order to provide the context necessary landscapes, signifying a changing erent materials and methods in- for putting together the remnants and relationship with the land and the forma- garden design. generating a whole image of what the tion of a new system of beliefs and le and his wife Emily spent civilization may have been like at a par- values. In assessing how other cultures their time in China, Japan, ticular time. came and went, he found it easier to un- continued on page 2 1 derstand the present, who we are, and and water color illustrations, several of why. which are on display at the Jessup Bracale used photojournalism as a Memorial Library in Bar Harbor until means of capturing the diverse and cap- March 15th. tivating images that he saw, taking over Says Bracale, "The Watson Fellow- 14,000 photographs and recording the ship gave me the opportunity to embark flow of ideas that accompanied them in on an adventure in self-education that writing. He is now in the process of or- served as the fulfillment of a lifetime ganizing his slides and will present a dream and the inspiration for a life pur- slide show at COA toward the beginning suit of these goals." of April. He also plans to write several The Bracales visit Mrs. Tsuchihashi's Although his future plans are as yet articles about the trip. English class in Kamakura, Japan. undecided, Bracale foresees himself con- While Bracale "floated," his wife tinuing with his studies in college or with Emily says she was "the rudder," focus- ticing artist, Emily conveyed her percep- mentors in different places and possibly ing on the daily logistics of their tions of the culture and daily life of the establishing a career in teaching, schedule. "The dynamics of our relation- people in each country through sketches photojournalism, and garden design. ship during our trip were quite -Wendy Doherty humorous," she laughed. "Dennis was to- tally absorbed with the past, and I was Zhouzheng Yuan (garden), Suzhou, China trying to deal with the present." A prac- The garden Tofuku-JI within the Zen Kindergarteners temple in Kyoto, Japan. in Suzhou, China. Keppel's association with COA to make American education look like A Tribute to Francis began in its early years. As a colleague education at College of the Atlantic." and old friend of Edward Kaelber, Members of the COA community Keppel COA's founding president, he gave recalled that the late commissioner had valued encouragement and advice. been the main speaker at Louis It was with great sadness that the COA Says Kaelber, "Frank was a very wise Rabineau's inauguration as President community learned of the death on and generous person. He never took of COA. President Rabineau noted: February 19 of Francis Keppel, a mem- himself too seriously, and shunned "During my service at COA, Keppel's ber of the Board of Trustees from 1986 being the 'front person.' I learned as wise guidance and keen insights were through 1988. much from him as I did from all my for- very special to the College, particularly A dedicated leader in education, mal education combined." during his tenure as a trustee. COA Keppel was former Dean of the Har- The College will long remember has lost a great friend. The country has vard University Graduate School of Keppel's closing remarks at the May lost one of the greatest leaders in Education and U.S. Commissioner of 1985 Bar Harbor Colloquium on public and private education." Education under Presidents Kennedy Teacher Education: "The thing to do is and Johnson. 2