Walking Art Observations on a Mindful Landscape

participatory art-in-nature contemplative practice, site-specific to the landscape interventions at S.U.N.F.A.R.M.

Axial pathways lead participants to find a connection between the axes in the landscape and the sky above. The paths are aligned to the East-West and North-South directions and act as sundials, instruments of timekeeping by revealing the apparent solar path in the sky. The dynamic perception of the local landscape and surrounding sky promotes states of mindfulness; the participants become aware of where they are in space and time in a dynamic meditation which promotes focus as well relaxation.
This project can be contextualized in the practices of walking art and walking meditation, finding a convergence between the two in the perception of the landscape. It also draws on the tradition of the Hudson River School, by revisiting the almost mystical view of the American landscape in a post-romantic appreciation of nature. Any participant can make art by the act of walking; perception itself becomes an artistic creation, in the meeting between the participant’s body with the land and sky, capturing the sublime of nature.
The project is founded on the tenet that art is not separate from life, but it can be incorporated in daily routines, finding beauty in the mundane.

Walking Meditation on Mindfulness Parth


Sunset at Mandala Pyramid

Fall Equinox 2023
The 2023 September equinox occurs on 23 September at 6:50am GMT.
e q u i n o x [from Latin aequinoctium : aequi,equal+ nox, night] , in space, is either of two points on the celestial sphere at which the ecliptic intersects the celestial equator.
Equinox, in time, is either of the two times during a year when the sun crosses the celestial equator and when the length of day and nights are approximately equal: the vernal equinox or the autumnal equinox. In Buddhism the equinox is referred to as O-Higan. It is related to crossing over from the material plane to the spiritual plane. Thus it is a period, in both spring and fall, when the provisional world and the absolute are in close alignment. It is a time for reflection and interpenetration of our lives to connect with all sentient beings and our environment
On this special day, Daniela Bertol will lead a walkthrough of S.U.N.F.A.R.M. art-in-nature interventions—sundials, compasses and spirals at architectural scale—followed by walking meditation on the Mindfulness Path. The evening concludes with a contemplation of the sun setting behind Mandala Pyramid. Meditation, mindfulness and yoga practice in art and nature are positive and constructive actions to overcome the many environmental and human challenges we encounter.

Surya Namaskar
108 Sun Salutations during International Yoga Day 2023

Summer Solstice & International Yoga Day 2023
June 21 2023
5:30 pm  –  Walking Art Observations in a Mindful Landscape
6:15 pm  – 108 Surya Namaskar 
Join us for a special meditation and yoga practice as we welcome the longest day of the year.
The summer solstice occurs on June 21, 2023, at 14:28 UTC. In the Northern Hemisphere, this solstice is the longest day of the year, with the sun at its maximum altitude when it crosses the meridian. June 21st has also been declared International Yoga Day by the United Nation in 2014 and, since 2015 has been celebrated worldwide with diverse yoga practices.
On this special day we gather at S.U.N.F.A.R.M. for a walking meditation on the Mindfulness Path, followed by 108 Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutations). 108 = 22 * 33 is considered a sacred number in several spiritual traditions. Meditation, mindfulness and yoga practice in art and nature are positive and constructive actions to overcome the many environmental and human challenges we encounter.
S.U.N.F.A.R.M.. is a unique earth art project: a phenomenological landscape, naked-eye observatory and embodiment of a mathematical theory of the universe. Situated in the Hudson Valley, this site is devoted to art and spiritual practices.

Walking around East Spiral

Fall Equinox 2021
September 22 2021
5:30 pm  – Daniela Bertol leads a walking meditation on Mindfulness Path
6:30 pm  – O Zotique leads the vibrational compositions “Ripples” and “Heart Chant”
6:51 pm  – Sunset
Walking Art Observations in a Mindful Landscape is a participatory art–in–nature meditation, site specific to the landscape interventions at SUNFARM.  An axial pathway leads participants to find a connection between the axes in the landscape and the sky above.
The path is aligned to the North South direction, framed by the arch “Mindfulness Torii” which also acts as sundial—an instrument of timekeeping—by revealing the apparent solar path in the sky. The dynamic perception of the local landscape and surrounding sky promotes states of mindfulness; participants become aware of where they are in space and time in a dynamic meditation which promotes focus and relaxation. 
“Walking Art Observations in a Mindful Landscape” and S.U.N.F.A.R.M. have been designed and realized by Daniela Bertol, with assistance from Zoe Bertol-Foell for web development and art-in-nature constructions.
This event has been made possible in part by a grant from CREATE with funds from the New York State Council on the Arts Decentralization Program.