The Pastoralist

1.26.10

Today I realized that my affection for this view is in large part because of genetics. It turns out that humans are attracted to landscapes that look like a good place for sheep to graze. It's the hunter gatherer in me.

It seems that my current landscape study is pastoral because if it is good enough for sheep...

This is Arnold

Quiet yet massive, complex yet incredibly thoughtful and engaging, The Arnold Arboretum ( from now on referred to as Arnold) is a tract of 265 acres in Boston, MA. Loved and cared for by Harvard University, Arnold also happens to be my backyard and one of my favorite places.

In Brooklyn I took a lot of pleasure (and sometimes grief) in living next to a fairly large park where I walked my precious beast Pierre twice a day for 4 years. Not including the hours I spent sitting on McCarren's benches in spring, rolled out on mats in the summer, or hauling milk bottles as they clank against one another to the farmers market despite pounding winter winds. I got to know McCarren Park well, maybe a little too well.

Now I have Arnold.

Arnold is more handsome then any other places I have been so close with.

Arnold is big and strong, quiet and brooding, the kind of place you need a lot of time to get to know. Arnold knows a lot about

history, science, culture, nature, society. As far as favorite places go, this wins.

Since July I have been getting to know Arnold and I have to say, it's a pretty amazing place to be with. It is all landscape worthy, and incredibly beautiful all the time. If shit came raining down I know Arnold would wear it well.

Peter's Hill is where I spend the most time. It is the untamed side of Arnold, dogs run off leash, grass is rarely cut growing waist high in the summer, in the winter Peter's slopes are sparkling snow and ice, making it treacherous and perfect for sledding. Peter's Hill is Arnold's hippie alter ego.

This is an ariel portrait of Peter's HIll I made today.

Arnold is changing all the time. A giant organism constantly growing, dying, regenerating, following the four seasons in synthesis