During the last week I have been celebrating my connections with art and nature.
I was privileged to visit State of the Art last Sunday (see also the exhibit’s webpages), which includes art pieces by working artists across America. The curators visited a thousand studios and looked for virtuosity, engagement and appeal. Visiting the exhibit reminded me that art, at its best, moves beyond beauty to reflect and comment on culture. For me, art is primarily a means of expression. State of the Art challenges me to do more. How can I increase my skill? What do I want to say? How do I engage with the (mythical) viewer?
It’s the time of year when I hunger to reconnect with nature. I’ve been cooped up for months and I’m ready to get outdoors. (Unfortunately, the climate hasn’t caught up with my hankerings, but perhaps later this week!) Reading about the first wild flowers of spring, I discovered the hepatica. The seeds of this plant are attached to a fleshy lipid structure, which appeals to ants. The ants carry the seeds back to their nests, which spreads the plant more widely. (These structures are called elaisomes, which is a lovely word.) What treasures do I find and bring home as I move through my environment? How can I be a better curator? How can my presence be nourishing to others?
While human connections are important, my life is enriched and supported by my natural and created, curated environment.