Racheal Homack
Reading response Landscape
In response to the article, “Six Quick Lessons in How to Read a Landscape” by Ben Kasten, Daniel Grant and Spring Greeney, I have learn there is much more to studying landscapes then I initially thought. Although, all six of the lessons explained in the reading have a similar theme, which is to analyze different details of the larger picture. The six lessons in this reading include: Play with boundaries, Look near; see far, Look up, look down, Compare then and now, Make and interpret maps, and Particularize.
I feel that in everyday life we overlook details. However, in art, it is important to inspect
all aspects of the subject of the piece. This point is reinforced by Kasten’s second point, “Look near; see far. He describes that the “mundane stuff” are the things that really will tie a piece together, and make the piece feel more authentic. Lookup, and down is a good point as well, as we must be sure not to get too focused on only what is right in front of our eyes. Often, there is potential artistic subject matter within sight, but overlooked. I believe that this is very true, both in art, and in life. The small details are the reason that there are different “feels” of cities, towns, and places. A city is after all just a city, until these smaller details are factored in, then they become a truly unique place.
Greeney’s topic, “Compare then and now”, and Grants topic, of, “Make and Interpret
get the true essence of a place, especially to capture this in an artistic form, it is important
to get a feel for the geography, as well as the history behind that place. I feel that this is
often overlooked but very important.
