tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11167350.post2272757086115669130..comments2023-10-31T05:37:45.410-07:00Comments on Hungry Hyaena: "Implant" at UBS Art GalleryHungry Hyaenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06354349850246750046noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11167350.post-34863267968446549212008-10-02T13:29:00.000-07:002008-10-02T13:29:00.000-07:00awesome. I agree with you that humans and what we ...awesome. I agree with you that humans and what we create are part of the natural world. But I had never considered my computer keyboards as being made up of my ancient ancestors before- that is definitely helping me make it through a long day at the office. <BR/><BR/>Similar but different to your weariness noted above,<BR/>I grow weary of using nature signifiers only to have them dismissed or go unnoticed. Often times it seems people believe such ideas pertain only to (non- human)animals and they lack the insight/interest to see such things in relationship to themselves or to see themselves as part of a larger chain of being.<BR/><BR/>I will invite you to read my blog but I have not posted on it for months.Molly Schaferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10953450660925094290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11167350.post-78666354995720239962008-10-02T12:26:00.000-07:002008-10-02T12:26:00.000-07:00Hi, Molly.Thanks for the comment.These are thought...Hi, Molly.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the comment.<BR/><BR/>These are thoughts that preoccupy me, as well. In fact, some of my upcoming posts will discuss these ideas a little more. Nature, as you say, is ambivalent. It can seem cruel; it can seem generous. "Seem" is the operative word. It is both cruel and generous, and so much more.<BR/><BR/>I grow weary of artists using Nature signifiers - white-tailed deer, barred owls, and the like - without convincing understanding. I realize that I am a more difficult viewer than most (at least with regard to this subject), but too many representations of the "natural world" are more <I>Bambi</I> than real.<BR/><BR/>I put "natural world" in quotes because, as you suggest, humans are very much a part of this world. A painting of an urban scene depicts the natural world and, indeed, the painting itself is natural. I believe strongly that everything humans have created is a part of Nature. Everything is integrated. The plastic in my computer keyboard is produced from oil, and that oil from dust and dirt, and that dust and dirt, in part, from the degeneration of ancestors' organs, both human and other. Viewing the world in this way, I do not draw any line between the natural and the artificial/human-made, except when writing, when it benefits easy communication.<BR/><BR/>By the way, Molly, I can't visit your blog anymore. Would you please sign me up as an invited guest? And why is visitation limited, if you're comfortable answering?<BR/><BR/>I hope that you are well, too!Hungry Hyaenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06354349850246750046noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11167350.post-41828104923774005692008-10-02T10:20:00.000-07:002008-10-02T10:20:00.000-07:00hi Christopher. I enjoyed your thoughts in this po...hi Christopher. I enjoyed your thoughts in this post.<BR/><BR/>I particularly appreciated the following:"Considered as a whole, "Implant" reflects, at worst, an intrinsic <I>mis</I>understanding of our place in nature and, at best, a disinterested remove from the rest of life. One senses that many of these artists do think seriously about the so-called natural world, but have little firsthand experience with it." <BR/><BR/>Firsthand experience is an interesting distinction. There is a lot of illustration influenced art work that seems to think nature (especially deer)is cute. First hand experience tracking deer and seeing evidence of their life (and death) cycle has taught me that nature is anything but cute. Nor is it cruel, it just is. <BR/><BR/>The recent slew of art shows about "nature" have me wondering how exactly most people define nature. In fact, the term "nature" has been bandied about so often and freely lately that I feel it is becoming empty of meaning. <BR/><BR/>To a number of humans I think "nature" just means-...like, trees and animals and stuff? I wonder if they include themselves/humankind in their definition. (dictionary.com offers multiple definitions for nature including both "the natural world as it exists without humans" and "elements of nature"(which I believe humans would be counted among). <BR/><BR/>If we are part of nature then is everything we have created an extension of our nature/nature? Where is the line between what is nature and what is not? I guess the interest in the subject is our simultaneous separation from and inclusion in nature. Although the separation is slightly self-imposed. When I am out camping/adventuring in the remaining wilds it doesn't take long for me to connect back into the bigger circle of life. I easily forget my daily separated human society existence even though I have spent more of my life in that world. Although my ultimate fantasy to be a lone huntergatheress may be leading me on to generalizations and assumptions here.<BR/><BR/>Ah, just things I think about. Hope you are well.Molly Schaferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10953450660925094290noreply@blogger.com