When the leaves transform into various shades of red, yellow, and orange, gently tumbling down crisp and brown, autumn gracefully simplifies, revealing its bare structure. It’s this time of the year where we can learn how to declutter and recognize the essentials.
Go naturally with the flow
Whirlwinds roar around trees and bushes, but also our ears—impacting not only the landscape but also our senses. Following a vibrant display of leaves swirling chaotically in the air, our surroundings transition into a monotonous palette of crumbling browns and foggy greys. What lingers are the bare skeletons of trees. Nature vividly illustrates the process of simplification, showcasing the essence of going with the flow.
When the tumultuous ballet of falling leaves mirrors the overflowing world of art
In today's visual landscape, the resemblance to autumn is striking, where the clarity of essentials is eclipsed by a multichannel flood of imagery. In the analog realm, art fairs seamlessly intertwine with various exhibition formats, each honing in on distinct themes while galleries showcase their selected artists, surrounded by an abundance of artsy events. Transitioning into the digital domain, the overflow reaches unprecedented heights. How does our reality look like?
“Do not copy nature too much. Art is an abstraction.” – Paul Gauguin
If art inherently recognizes the imperative of abstraction—trimming the superfluous and zeroing in on the core—why does the observer find it challenging to adopt a similar approach? Is it a struggle to let go? This is precisely the reason there is always a magic to the why. Asking why is a remarkable way to get clarity and understanding. Why empowers us to question the status quo, break down the old and open up new ideas, just as the transformative power of autumn.
Dive in: How to deconstruct the overflow to uncover the nucleus
Whenever the sensation of creative overflow emerges and is noticed, it’s the perfect moment for a breezy mind session. Time for abstraction:
Time proves to be the most influential agent in this process: As it unfolds, a lot of initial impressions fade, leaving behind the images that deeply resonate with us.
These memories may not exclusively be positive, yet they play a pivotal role in shaping your taste. Appreciate them.
Asking "why" this particular image lingers in your memory and delving into your feelings will guide toward a profound understanding of your unique essentials. In everyday terms, we might refer to this process as a 'visual detox', so to say a deliberate exploration and cleansing of our visual experiences. Special thanks to Marine Tanguy for breaking a lance with her publication “The Visual Detox. How to consume media without letting it consume you.”
Embrace only the images that stay with you over time, otherwise, let go. A true companion won’t let you alone but will continue to keep you engaged.
In a cascade of falling leaves, should you seek a companion in decluttering, don't hesitate to reach out. Let's unravel the visuals together.
Yours truly,
Margot
A&P sidenote: The nifty natural sculptures crafted by Swiss artist Sylvain Meyer have captured our gaze. Meyer transforms wooded areas and landscapes to various creative and impermanent patterns, sculptures, and textures, using only found materials in nature. From fallen bark to acorns, leaves, and decaying wood, he immortalizes his work through photography.
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