Nature at a Distance: Possibilities

Nature, ideas about nature,

Diversity, Adaptation, Transformation,

the Sublime, Ownership, the Ephemeral, Nature as Metaphor

Evolution, Entropy, Wilderness, Weather Systems, Systems, Sustainability , Environment, Light, Romanticism, Intuition , Spirit, Landscaper, Entropy, Urbanity, Utopia, Distopia , Youth, Time, Ephemeral, Motivation, Evolution, Civilization, Escape, Landscape , Natural History, Roots Culture, Homeland, “Green” , Acadia , Survival, Wilderness, Landscape vs Urbanity, Contagion, Fear of Nature

Collages based on artist works

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS...How does nature influence our spirituality? What does our culture mean by nature? HOw does How does culture construct “nature” and our relationships to “nature”?

How does art and visual culture influence or shape ideas about nature?

What is the opposite of nature?

How has our relationship to nature changed?

How are we part of nature and how are we separate from nature?

How is civilization progress?  How is civilization not progress?

How do people connect with places and what are our relationships to the places where we live? What are sacred places and how do they become sacred? 

What ideas about nature and our relationship to nature are revealed or hidden in collections? 

artwork based on Chinese landscape, using ink and sticks.

Other ideas about nature and culture:

Nature acts as a background for human events

Nature is fragile and in need of protection

Nature is ruthless and powerful

Nature is nurturing

Nature is controllable and can be made to be submissive

Nature can become a collaborative partner with humans

Nature can inspire

Nature is sacred

Nature is fallen

How are these attitudes evident in our cultural artifacts, art, and popular visual culture?

How are we defined by what we collect?

What can Nature/Landscape mean today?

Painting Outside