Marc Pandone

Marc Pandone

Reflections: Buzzard Peak and other Landscapes

email the author:
mpandone "at" solano.edu

It seems that throughout my life, landscapes of places visited have held a special significance to me. I retain vivid memories of mountain lakes and countryside from childhood vacations in upstate New York. In no uncertain terms I have continually been awed by nature and the environment.

As Walt Whitman said in 1855, "The press of my foot to the earth springs a hundred affections."

P&P Exhibit

REFLECTIONS / PERSEVERATION BUZZARD PEAK OBSERVED.

The First One Hundred Days of 1998.

THE 18 IMAGES IN THESE THREE SHOWCASES ARE PART OF A 103 IMAGE CYCLE. CLICK ON EACH IMAGE FOR A LARGER VIEW!

AS PART OF A YEAR-LONG SABBATICAL, SIMPLY WITNESSING THE SUBTLE CHANGES OF A SINGLE DAY LED TO INSIGHT, ACTION AND REWARDING CONTEMPLATION.

TO QUOTE A TIBETAN SAYING, "THE EXPERIENCE OF EMPTINESS ENGENDERS COMPASSION".

In the collection of oil pastels and paintings presented, I have attempted to capture an essence and expression of various sites. These are not meant to be photographic reproductions or displays of virtuosic rendering. Rather, these are places I have paused to reflect on and observe. Drawing and painting in the field requires its own set of patience and "gear". The process is one of continued presence, observing not only the scene and deciding on the composition but also taking into account light, color, temperature, wind etc. In addition, I'm asking: Do I have my fingerless wool gloves in my pack in January, or have I taken enough water with me in July?

Regardless of the obstacles, I continue to be outside as often as possible and be "in" the landscape. The term landscape itself conjures up idyllic and Arcadian beauty. In some way the landscape picture has come to represent a passive acceptance of what is 'good". I would like to submit that the landscape picture and the encounter with the outdoors is a sublime encounter with the self and the primeval connection to thousands of generations of human legacy.

WHILE OBSERVATION OF A SITE MAY PRODUCE AN IMAGE WHICH RESPONDS TO PHYSICAL BEAUTY, THERE IS FAR MORE OCCURRING "OFF STAGE", SO TO SPEAK. THE DAY JOURNAL, CORRESPONDING WITH RESPECTIVE IMAGES, ATTEMPTS TO CONVEY ADDITIONAL OBSERVATIONS WHICH EXPAND THE CONTENT AND CONTEXT OF THE MOMENT.

IT WOULD BE EASY TO SAY THAT THIS IS A COLLECTION OF PRETTY PICTURES. THAT WOULD NOT TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION, FOR EXAMPLE, THE FACT THAT CALIFORNIA OAK WOODLAND HABITATS ARE RAPIDLY DISAPPEARING AND NATURAL HABITATS FROM SHORE TO RIDGE TOPS ARE BEING CONSUMED BY COMMERCE.

THE QUALITY OF PEACE AND WELL-BEING THAT THESE IMAGES MAY PORTRAY IS NOT NECESSARILY WHAT WE HAVE, BUT WHAT WE ARE LOSING. ALDO LEOPOLD SPOKE ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP, SUGGESTING THAT LAND ETHIC SIMPLY ENLARGES THE BOUNDARIES OF THE COMMUNITY TO INCLUDE SOILS, WATERS, PLANTS AND ANIMALS, OR, COLLECTIVELY, THE LAND.

Landscape imagery has frequently been a metaphor for god, glory, hope, destruction, rebirth etc.

Not far from my thoughts as I observe a scene are the current political attacks on the clean water bill, or the gutting of the Endangered Species Act, the proposed drilling for oil in the Arctic Wildlife Preserve, the clear cutting of old growth forest, the loss of rich habitat wetlands and intertidal zones to development, the shipment and storage of nuclear waste, the decline of migratory bird populations and the consumption of non-renewable resources, to name a few.

Therefore, these images are not political statements per se. What I hope they convey and encourage is a moment of contemplation and reflection on what is truly precious and valuable: the environment and all the creatures that share it.

THEREFORE, IT IS IMPORTANT TO ME, AS AN ARTIST, THAT AN INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO ARTS AND ECOLOGY BE DEVELOPED, AND THAT LIFE-CENTERED ISSUES COORDINATE THE CONTRIBUTION FROM SEVERAL DISCIPLINES. THIS TYPE OF COLLECTIVE AWARENESS IS A POTENTIAL PATH TO HEALING THE LIFE SUSTAINABILITY OF THE ENVIRONMENT.

I HOPE YOU ENJOY THE EXHIBIT, SPEND SOME TIME REFLECTING, AND THEN GO OUTDOORS, BECAUSE THAT IS WHERE THE TRUE MAGIC LIES.

email the author:
mpandone "at" solano.edu

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P&P: RadiKahl Poetry and Prose
www.kahl.net/poetry

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