There is seemingly no limit to the ways in which art can be imagined, represented and produced by human artists and by nature itself. I decided to use my weekend in the Boone, North Carolina area as a personally-inspired art adventure, exploring the “human/commercial” side of art and the art of nature: plants, streams, trees and animals with only traces of human intervention in their midst.
A visit to “The Cabin Store” provided opportunities for viewing/documenting a wide variety of folk art: from hand-made furniture pieces, to restored and stuffed dead animals, to Native dolls and other interesting pieces. My favorite art experience of the weekend was the nature hike during which I photographed the art inherent to the natural world. I later posted all my photos and captioned them with my reactions, ranging from thoughts about representations of art in terms of commodification, animal rights issues, the notion of freedom of expression and creation from the perspective of the human artist and the subjective reactions of viewers relative to those same issues.
I believe that there is no limit to the ways in which individuals confront art in its various manifestations. At the same time, I contend that some people can only conceive of art in more traditional formats and settings (as in paintings, sculptures, other pieces typically associated with museums and galleries). Engaging in non-traditional locales and confronting different and, sometimes, controversial productions of art opens the imagination in wonderful, mysterious and, often, troubling ways --- always well worth the experience.
This was truly an existential experience for me in terms of creating my own art journey, engaging in a spiritual communion with nature and learning a bit more about my own creative inclinations; almost as if I was standing outside myself and observing my perceptions in the moment, then pondering my reactions to those perceptions. I truly believe that every confrontation with art, whether created by humans or nature itself, is an existential experience.
Abandoned Shed
A naturally found work of art.
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