The form of a volume of space is one of the most moving elements in architecture to me. When I am in a space that feels elevating, I try to tap into what creates that feeling. It usually brings me back to the feeling of walking through a space created by trees. 

For my final project, I created a series based on the observation of framed spaces created by trees and other flora. Most of these works were done from observation, looking through the large windows of the Republic Building. I did the final work from observation outdoors. I was happy to take advantage of the spring blooming season to observe the transformation of forest spaces. I used acrylic inks and layered with acrylic medium and gesso. This exploration began on paper with black ink, transitioned to a key exploration on canvas, then moved back to gessoed paper and the acrylic ink. The conclusion piece ended on canvas once again. 

I’m drawing from works as cited in the following paragraphs. Leonard Baskin’s details of the apple tree. I appreciate the varied texture of the bark contrasted with the delicate leaves. He is also flattening the volumes found in the branches, and expressing negative space. I liked the simplicity of using only black, but pushed color into my series.

In Jennifer Coates, Another Green World, the simplification of the trees and how they have this tension, like ‘oil & water’ on the canvas. The tension captured reminds me of that of ‘tree crowning’, the trees can grow so close to one another and yet still respect the space of the others. I channeled her simplification and tension paired with the delicate texture and complexity of Baskin’s tree. 

Pastoral, by Graham Sutherland, begins to express the volume created by a lone tree. The tree is a bit irregular, not what you would expect for a typical tree. The tree looks barren, perhaps caught in a fire, or just weathered and old, yet it still creates a beautiful archway and threshold for the path that lays ahead. You can imagine the wonderful shade canopy this tree once provided. 

Lastly, I am citing a more literal interpretation of space created by trees. The Tree Cathedral was created by landscape architect, Neil Higson. Deciduous and evergreen trees were planted in the same configuration as Norwich Cathedral. The trunks are mimicking columns, and the tree canopies are like the gothic arches. A gallery of trees can truly represent the grand cloisters this cathedral exhibits. 

In this series I hoped to discover and represent the spaces nature has to offer so that I may bring this forward in future work and representation in the built landscape. In conclusion, I feel that I have. I also discovered that the esthetic quality is what I began to convey. The space created is more than the shapes that are observed, but rather the feeling you get while being within the framed space. It made me realize the process taken to create our built spaces was to shelter us from nature, as now I may be drawing from a yearning to escape more to nature, longing to recreate that experience in our built environment. 

REFRENCES:

Leonard Baskin - Apple Tree - Aquatint Etching - 1962

Jennifer Coates - Another Green World

Graham Sutherland - Pastoral - Etching on Paper - 1930

Neil Higson - The Tree Cathedral - 1986

Norwich Cathedral - Norwich, England  - 1145

J. Irwin Miller M. Arch Program // Visual Arts Studio 2 - Spring 2022 // Professor Jennifer Riley