Week 6 - Landscape and the Sublime

'Untitled' (2002) Richard Misrach



Richard Misrach's photography reflects the concept of the Sublime, from the Enlightenment.

Research Misrach's work by reading about his intentions, and also by looking at the work:

Richard Misrach, a native Californian, has spent most of his career photographing the American desert and is considered one of this century’s most internationally acclaimed photographers. His works are represented in more than fifty major museum collections around the world. Selections from his groundbreaking Desert Cantos sereis have appeared in three previous books, including Desert Cantos, which received the 1988 Infinity Award from the International Center for Photography; Bravo 20; The Bombing of the American West, which was awarded the 1991 PEN Center West Award for a nonfiction book; Violent Legacies: Three Cantos; and Crimes and Splendors.

1. What and when was the Enlightenment?
** The enlightenment was a philosophic movement of the 18th century (which is said to date back even further in time)
marked by a rejection of traditional social, religious, and political ideas and an emphasis on rationalism.

2. Define the concept of the Sublime.
** In this context, 'the Sublime' implies that man can, in emotions and in language, transcend the limits of the human condition. In this sense, and in particular portrayed as a convention in Misrach's work, 'The Sublime' goes beyond the extraordinary and refers to the captured magic in his images.

3. How did the concept of the Sublime come out of the Enlightenment thought?

** The idea of the Sublime, I believe was pushed through the 'invention' of the landscape painting. This gave the artist the freedom to paint and manipulate the landscape scene to his/her desired paradise. Before the popularity boost of landscape paintings, they were seen as useless and not of importance in comparison to the figures painted on them. This was especially evident in the 18th century, where artists were basically TOLD what to paint, due to the immense focus on religion at the time, and in particular, Christianity. It was not until the 19th Century, where landscape paintings were 'accepted' as art. An exceptional collection of examples of 19th Century Landscape Paintings is by Claude Monet and can be viewed at http://www.google.co.nz/images?hl=en&q=claude%20monet%20landscape%20paintings&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi.

4. Discuss the subject matter, and aesthetic (look) of Misrach's work to identify the Sublime in his work. Add some more images.

** In the 'Untitiled' photographic series of Misrach's work, he captures the essence of beauty & simplicity, within what looks to be his interpretation of the idyllic 'untouched paradise'. Not only do his images convey the picturesque beauty of the sea but also suggests a sense of mystery, based on the ideas of the 'hidden dangers' within our worlds waters. In relation to the increasing popularity of landscape-styled paintings in the 19th century, Richard Misrach also would rather photograph a space, where the interruption of people is obscure.

5. Identify some other artists or designers that work with ideas around the Sublime, from the Enlightenment era as well as contemporary artists.

** JMW Turner, Caspar David Friedrich, Claude Monet

6. How does Misrach's photography make you feel? Does it appeal to your imagination?

** To me, Richard Misrach's work provides a sense of belonging to both oceanic space and to Mother Nature. The captured colours in his works are cooling, soothing and tranquil and present an emotional connection of the human body to water. I feel that his images (and in particular this image: http://hankblog.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/untitled-857-02-2002.jpg) are hypnotizing and in a way are potentially harmful, and also makes me consider the unpredictability nature can 'drown' us in.

7. Add a Sublime image of your choice to your blog, which can be Art or just a Sublime photograph.

** COPY & PASTE LINK - http://www.campaignbrief.com/nz/CORUBA-master_60_clean_REV_GRADE.wmv - (VIEW FROM 41 SECS). I believe the green flash is an amazing example and is the most true definition of 'The Sublime'. Sadly, I have not been able to find a still image of how best to portray this but the link really does say it all (: