Free Write: Carlson 2

This is sort of a response to Chris Johnson's second Carlson blog. I really don't think there is an alternative to nature, there can only ever be the effort to re-integrate into the environment. Art only supplies a way for us to remember, for us to represent feelings through nature, and for us to want to go back to it. It is not in itself a substitute for nature. Even the emotions we put behind paintings is not from the environment, it is from our own memories and feelings about the place in question. We can never truly lose touch with nature without losing parts of ourselves.

Question of the Week: Carlson

Carlson seems to imply that for each setting there is a "right" mindset to have and way to view the landscape/ flower/ summer afternoon. Is this true? Or is it possible that there are multiple "right" ways to view a natural environment? Or is there no "right" way and perhaps only shades of appreciation?

I would have to agree with the ideas of the shades of appreciation on this one. The natural environment is the natural environment, there is no correct way to observe it. Yes, there are many ways to try and appreciate it for all its perceived, however that too is all personal and entirely based on the person. Even those who don't see beauty in the natural environment may indeed not know much about it, or they just don't care for it, either way it is a valid viewpoint that they are allowed to have. There simply can be no artistic definition of the natural environment, it's there despite us and will be there if we are not. It is not for our artistic approval.

Free Write: Carlson 1

Does knowledge of an experience increase that experience make it better?

I feel that the having knowledge of any experience simply puts people into a bias towards that  experience because they probably wanted to learn about that experience and did. Therefore, no matter what experience there could be in nature, it is subject to the minds and tastes of individuals who experience them. Out of a personal example, I did not enjoy the experience of Shakespeare until I went out on my own to figure it out and I came to really love Shakespeare, but even still, that is my own personal bias, it is not changing the experience at all, it is still the play, but it is more because I am making it more.