nature

Lessons in Stillness and Quiet, with Mitch Epstein’s Astonishing Trees

At first, we only visited the New York Times “Lessons in Stillness from One of the Quiestest Places on Earth” because we wanted to see Mitch Epstein’s remarkable photographs of trees. But then, the story called us…

Tiny Blossoms Knocked Off a Flower Make Unexpected Arrangements

Blossoms that might in one way seem broken or damaged can transform into something of startling beauty…

Reading W.S. Merwin’s ‘Rain Light’ in Dappled Sunlight, We Were Amazed to Learn What ‘Dappled’ Is

When we stumbled on this lovely way to read Rain Light by W.S. Merwin, it took our breath away for a moment as we rode on the New York City subway…Then we read Edward Tufte’s explanation of what “dappled” is…

Call of the Forest “a Way of Thinking About Trees and the Planet You Have Never Thought Before”

In “Call of the Forest, the Forgotten Wisdom of Trees”, botanist Diana Beresford-Kroeger guides us into “the essentials of what a tree is all about”, something she says most people have missed, and that will change our view of the planet we inhabit.

Oliver Sack’s On Meeting an Orangutan at the Toronto Zoo

One of the most remarkable stories in the late Oliver Sacks’ posthumously published book is about Sacks’ unexpected meeting with an orangutan while visiting the zoo. It describes Sacks “”a brilliant singularity”: his ability for showing us the big fat gifts to be found in the everyday. Perfection in 274 words.

Alex Soth and Richard Long on What Can Be Made From the Process of Moving Through the World

At his instagram, photographer Alex Soth posted a beautiful little video of a rock rolling down a path, an homage to artist Richard Long’s work, who mightily inspired an interesting view…

The Secret Language of Trees via Animated Drawings And Richard Power’s Wondrous Novel

Through charming animated drawings, forestry experts Camille Defrenne and Suzanne Simard explain how trees communicate with one another. Novelist Richard Powers tells it another way in The Overstory.

Jean Shin Transforms Dying Trees into a Place of Rememberance and Gathering

Artist Jean Shin transformed Storm King Art Center’s dying Maple trees into a sculpture that embodies the trees inner life and energy…

Oliver Sacks: Nature is a Therapy More Powerful Than Medication

An essay in a posthumously published book by the very wise Oliver Sacks gives a scientist’s view of the healing power of Nature and gardens.

Dept of Astonishment: Listen to The Sound of a ‘Waterfall’ Made By Millions of Butterflies

For the first 3 minutes of this video of a visit to a butterfly reserve in Mexico, naturalist Phill Torres treks and talks while he makes his way to the winter encampment of millions of overwintering monarch butterflies. Then at 3:39, a miracle happens:

Tacita Dean’s Trees: Ideas Fueled by Openness to Chance, Accident, Poetic Associations

This astonishing tree is one of a group of photographs of ancient trees in the South East of England made by artist Tacita Dean. It is the product of Dean’s unique approach, which is as wonderful as the work itself.

Annals of Anonymous Art: Heart Writ in Cherry Blossoms (with Haiku)

Over the days that the bright pink cherry blossoms fell like snow around Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem, two hearts formed out negative space appeared. We found the perfect Basho haiku to accompaniment them:

Clouds in Art and Daily Life, ‘Their Contemplation Benefits the Soul’

At designer Pamela Hovland’s instagram, we were stunned by this image of “cloud studies” by J.C. Dahl, Norway’s greatest landscape painter. He reminded us of others who view clouds as Nature’s display of poetry…

Beth Moon’s Photographs of Ancient Trees Under Night Skies are Magic

Inspired by studies that view trees as receivers of stellar energies, photographer Beth Moon traveled to the world’s “last dark places” to photograph ancient trees at night, in color.

Bring a Little Piece of Nature Into the Home, Heart, Day (Yoko Ono, Max Lamb)

It usually takes just a shift of orientation, or your usual route to work or the store, to work some living trees into your day and heart. Here’s some inspiration from Yoko Ono and Max Lamb…

This Serene Water Opera Echoes Music Made by Whales

The serene made-underwater music in Breathe, an experimental “water opera”, echoes ancient songs made by whales.

A Lesson in ‘Right Now’ From A Tree, Stonehouse and The New Yorker

The convergence of a tree in blossom, a poem by a 13th century Buddhist poet and a New Yorker cartoon provided a stunning lesson in ‘right now’.

A Magic Pill to Cure Stress

When my closest friend was in the hospital with a serious illness, he, the patient, was a mess; I, the caregiver, was possibly even worse for worry and fear. It was then I discovered the magic pill.

Running With Wild Horses (W.S. Merwin)

View this video full screen to feel like you are galloping with one of the oldest breed of horses on earth. Then read this astonishing poem.

‘When Everything in the World Has Been Lost But Soon We Will Find It Again’ (W.S. Merwin)

In his poetry, W.S. Merwin expressed what lies largely beyond our conscious mind, yet there, waiting to be recognized like this about the inbetween time before spring is fully apparent,

Posts navigation