Today in the garden was our first opportunity to return to our sit-spots. After drawing a tree last week, I found myself looking more intentionally at its shape. I imagine next week, given this week's color matching activity, I will be more perceptive of color. These activities encourage us to spend time with the garden, teaching us patience, curiosity, and perception.
This color matching activity drew our attention towards the impossibility of 'perfection' in nature. Particularly when contrasted with the abstract perfection of math, it seems to show us that there are worlds of complexity, at every scale, anywhere you look. Having a strong background in math, it is perhaps easier to appreciate the intense complexity offered by the natural world.
I am hopeful that I can become a better student of the garden. There are feelings of interconnectedness that I gleam but frankly feel ignorant to. There is a delicacy present that makes me feel crude. I think it would be best to dismiss my expectations if I am to be a proper student of the garden.
Lastly, I want to speak to the quality of materials. This has come up several times in our classes - the use of charcoal when drawing, the story of a former teacher candidate building drums, and the trust we placed in our 'phone compass' relative to the real compass. The quality of our tools and materials play an important role when we interact with the world. Intuitively, I feel greater responsibility using higher quality materials. I can't say exactly why, but I think it comes from a feeling of respect for the tool and the effort which went into producing it.
I look forward to future lessons in my sitting spot.
No comments:
Post a Comment