Abstract
Over the past two years, I have lived a mindful and intentional life, searching for a way to express the overwhelming sense of indescribable “something- ness” felt when exposed to natural environments. The something experienced during a “tur” (trip). I explored the parallels between our wellbeing and our relationship to nature with a belief that if we see ourselves as part of nature, we will also feel a responsibility for its care, and that this is therefore self- care. Through these explorations a dogma-based methodology was developed as a structure and guide to use as a creating artist.
The Sea
The Forest
The Mountain
Interior/Exterior
Motivation
Over the past few years, I have lived a mindful and intentional life, searching for a way to express the overwhelming sense of indescribable “somethingness” felt when exposed to natural environments. The ones experienced during a “tur” (trip). I explored the parallels between our wellbeing and our relationship to nature with a belief that if we see ourselves as part of nature, we will also feel a responsibility for its care, and that this is therefore selfcare. Through these explorations a dogma-based methodology was developed as a structure and guide to use as a creating artist.
The methodology demands simply not just to be in nature, but to be active in it. This is achieved by changing from mediative and flow states through activity whilst maintaining a mindful presence, -with some magic and wonder added in.
Along the way a material library is formed. The collected items within the library store tales and memories from the journeys undertaken. It has been shaped and formed by time but given meaning by the collector. It is important to note that the library does not solely consist of stern objects, but also conversations, sounds and photographs taken from the various trips.
The Method as a Guide
Tools
I created a set of tools that allowed me to access nature in various forms. When I refer to tools in this text, I mean outdoors activities, such as surfing or swimming. The tools are a list of activities that in different ways triggers the brain to react to the set surrounding and sends out different neuro-signals to our body. They directly manipulate our brain into a different state of consciousness. These can be changed by whomever is using the method to their want and accessibility.
In the Exterior: This is about being placed out into nature. It does not have to be in wild untouched nature that is hard to access, it could be the beach front of your town, or a local green park, as long as you can experience the other actors in nature. Here you can start using your tools.
In the interior: This point is about being aware of your body and mind using the tools chosen in nature. Be in the now and reflect on how you feel and what you see in the surroundings around you. It is a practice of mindfulness. Finding magic in what you see and training your creativity through imagination.
In conversation: It is about creating a community, reducing the personal ego and finding connection to others, human and non-human. Meeting and exploring this with others creates a community, a bond. Sharing stories and experiences is a way to learn and develop our creativity. If we share these trips, they mean more to us.
In relation: Finding theory and scientific research as well as artistic practices that backs this method up. How can we use this knowledge across fields? We all must change our ways to hinder the environmental collapse. How can you do it in your field of work? By inviting people to be your collaborators and join your mission whatever you create will lead you places you could not have gone alone.
In Materiality: From the points above, build a material library. The material library is not just limited to what you collect of physical objects, but also by making photos, writings, and interpretations of things you have seen through other techniques and materials.
Dogmas
These are more direct instructions to how to behave in nature. How to collect for the material library with conscious respect and how to use it in your creative practice. It was important to leave one point blank, I do not believe in absoluteness or following anything to the point. Too many rules and regulations will create cracks, we do our best.