Environmental Art

“... how much more elaborately wrought is the frame through which our adult eyes survey the landscape. For although we are accustomed to separate nature and human perception into two realms, they are, in fact indivisible.” Simon Schama, Landscape and Memory

For this assignment I want you to consider the landscapes and overlays that inform your personal relationship with your environment. In the first couple of classes I’ve given you some examples from my own experiences and that Schama identifies as his in the book referred to above.

I’d like you to start with a visual approach. The idea for this came from what are often referred to as ‘double exposure’ photos (as below; although most of them are created in Photoshop rather than being true double exposures). What environments would you show as within you?

Up North & random tumblr image, both found on Pinterest

Second, I’d like you to actually make one/some of these images. Because we rarely actually see ourselves within our landscapes, doing this as a physical practice has some uses. The format for this was inspired by another Pinterest find – the fashion cut-outs of artist Shamekh Bluwi. Print your original photograph on a piece of paper, cut out your shape and use that as a frame against backgrounds you find meaningful. Take photographs of the resultant compositions.

Because we’re not making fashion illustrations, use an actual photograph of yourself as the base, and your cut-out should probably be of your entire self – unless you have a conceptual reason for doing otherwise. While it may not be practical to visit all the actual locations that you’d like to use, it would probably be helpful if you can find at least one physical environment to visit. Using photographs as the backdrop is also acceptable, and/or on-line images if your personal image collection is not accessible.

For the purposes of this assignment all locations should be real-world places. You may create composite images of location + “overlay” if you wish.

Finally, write up a short response to accompany your images (500 words minimum).

Consider your results within the context of concepts discussed in the introductory class, and/or that are of particular interest to you. Be as critically reflective as you can. Are there any ways in which you see the course theme manifest the images you created?

Does a sense of ‘place’ come through in your images?

How do personal and shared-cultural perceptions reveal themselves in your image? Which ones have the most resonance for you? Why?

Was there anything that surprised you about the images or your reaction to them? Why? What did you take away from the experience?

Send me your writing and a copy of your photo.