“Walking Art Observations in a Mindful Landscape” is a participatory art-in-nature meditation, 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; participants become aware of where they are in space and time in a dynamic meditation that promotes focus and relaxation.
The selected axial path is Breath Path with Time Helix as the focal point. Breath Path evolves from the 2007 gravel pathways called Meditation Path—which became overgrown. Breath Path is 135-foot long, 30-inches wide and aligned to the north-south axis and marked by a checkerboard of red and grey pavers. The checkerboard pattern provides a rhythm for the walking meditation: recorded instructions lead participants to walk on the same color alternating pavers on their way south and the opposite color for the return. Each step is marked by a breathing cycle of inhalation and exhalation. The north entrance of the path is framed by Mindfulness Torii, a timber archway that marks the transition between places and the beginning of a meditation on the environment, recalling the Japanese tradition, where the torii is a physical gateway metaphor for the boundary between profane and sacred spaces. Walking through Breath Path initiates the awareness of being part of a system, made by ourselves and the environment. The act of walking through this path, while being aware of breathing and experiencing different events in the landscape and the sky, is a reminder of this interconnectedness; it also creates awareness of the presence of the participant in the surrounding environment in the time-based transformation of the geospatial coordinates of the participants. The counting of steps on the pavers accompanied by breathing cycles also develop the walking activity into a focused attention meditation.
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 from 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. “Walking Art Observations in a Mindful Landscape” also provides an educational opportunity for field learning with an introduction to naked-eye observational astronomy. The naked-eye observation of celestial events, mainly of the apparent solar path, was integrated with the overall life of traditional people, as documented in the monuments of archeoastronomy. Revisiting archeoastronomy and indigenous wisdom in the contemporary world can support the transformation toward a sustainable economy and lifestyle.
“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.
Summer Solstice: 20.06.2021
During the first iteration of the online presentation on June 20th, the walking meditation was accompanied by a recording of the sound composition “Codex 126012” by Ak2deru. The sound installation has been realized to accompany visitors along their walking path within: it surrounds and supports slow walking, conscious breathing, ultimately the search for connection with the surrounding environment, and the artworks framing the meeting between earth and sky.
The event is held virtually with Zoom on June 20th, 2021 from 4:00 pm-6:00 pm EST. Please register on Eventbrite here. In the near future, S.U.N.F.A.R.M. will be open by appointment for in-person visits. Please check the website (https://s-u-n-f-a-r-m.org/) for updates.
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.
Equinox Rites: 22.9.2022
e q u i n o x [from Latin aequinoctium : aequi,equal+ nox, night] Equinox, 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.
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” 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.
Daniela Bertol (she/her/hers) is a research artist, designer, maker, author & yogini, researching and practicing at the intersection between art and science. danielabertol.com/ | healinggeometries.spaceink.net/ | sky-spirals.org/sunfarm/
Osun Zotique [pronounced “Ocean”] (they/them/theirs) is a vibrational anchor of joy and a local international yogi/artist/researcher. www.zotique.org.
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.
Sound
The following audio instructions for a walking meditation are specific to the site of Mindfulness Path. The instructions lead the participant to walking meditation based on a loop of 109 steps.
Summer Solstice and International YOGA Day: 23.6.2023
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 Nations in 2014 and, since 2015 has been celebrated worldwide with diverse yoga practices.
On this special day, we gathered 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.
Participants were immersed in the serenity of the solstice and the power of yoga. This event was open to all, from beginners to experts, and the experienced instructor, Daniela Bertol, the founder of S.U.N.F.A.R.M. guided participants to connect with their mind, body, and spirit.
Autumnal Equinox at Sun Farm: 23.09.2023
The 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, we gather at S.U.N.F.A.R.M. for a guided tour of the 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.