Short Bio
Life long Artist Explorer.
Statement
Thinking Landscape. From the Bottom of Beech Street.“From the Bottom of Beach Street”, Harvard University Arnold Arboretum.
An exhibit of oil paintings by Mark J. Richards
The simplest definition of landscape describes it as the physiognomy of the geographical environment[1] .[1] A Cultural Landscape is the result of humanity’s preservation of, and or transformation of a natural landscape.
The notion cultural landscape refers to landscape that has been transformed by humankind as the result of civilizational development. Cultural landscapes are extremely dynamic and ephemeral systems. Currently, we are witnessing dramatic transformation of the landscape. The processes of consumption and globalization of the landscape are happening on a mass scale in the 21st century.[2]
Arnold Arboretum is perhaps the pinnacle of Natural Cultural Landscapes. Frederick Law Olmstead’s design expresses one’s place within the natural environment by situating the viewer amid carefully crafted vistas and trails. However, Arnold is not exempt from the effects of globalization and environmental effects of global warming. The arboretum has changed significantly since the beginning of the 21st century: the woolly adelgid’s effect on Hemlock’s and beach bark disease[3] are particular examples of how much Arnold has changed. In spite of these set-backs, Arnold Arboretum is a muse that continues to inspire me as a person and as an artist. Landscape painting is first and foremost the Artists’ expression of self within the context of the natural environment[2] .
I present these landscapes as portrait paintings that drive viewers to critically think about our environment[3] : landscape paintings as being, doing, and finding out. I enjoy Arnold Arboretum as a living cultural landscape accentuating its relationship between humans, other species, and the places that Artist Adventurists’ share. This living relationship, in all its complexity, problematics, and strangeness, is deeply beautiful.[4]
[1] Myga-Piątek, U., 2011: Cultural Landscape of the 21st Century: Geographical Consideration between Theory and Practice, Hrvatski geografski glasnik 73(2), 129–140.
[2] Myga-Piątek, U., 2011: Cultural Landscape of the 21st Century: Geographical Consideration between Theory and Practice, Hrvatski geografski glasnik 73(2), 129–140.
[3] Beech Bark Disease The beech is in trouble. Since its introduction from Europe to Nova Scotia around 1890, beech bark disease (BBD) has spread at a relatively slow, but steady, rate. BBD was first discovered in the U.S. in Maine in 1932 and was discovered in Michigan in 2000. BBD results from an interaction between three or more organisms (the tree, an insect, and a fungus). The non-native insect, called beech scale, causes a small wound on the tree. Scales have sucking mouthparts which are used to pierce the bark of the beech tree and suck out sap. These wounds weaken the tree and provide entrance ports for one or more of three fungal (Nectria) species which cause bark cankers. Infection with the fungus usually happens about three to six years after infestation with beech scales. The fungus kills areas of woody tissue. If enough is killed, the tree may be girdled and die. Some trees linger for several years, then eventually succumb to the fungus or another disease. Infested trees are often attacked by other insects or diseases which hastens tree mortality. https://www.nature.org
[4] From review by Emma Marris of the “New Explorers” by Kris Timken. http://thenewexplorers.com/author/admin/
