Roadside Reflections - Journal Entry No. 3

Friday, September 20th

It has only been a week into the trip and I already feel that I’ve learned an incredible amount about art, nature, and just generally have become more appreciative of the luxuries in my regular life. The uncertainty I entered this trip with is far gone and I am now very comfortable with the ever changing environment and the amazing artists I have befriended on this trip. I know the lessons learned, experiences had, and friendships formed will only continue to develop and strengthen, but as I reflect on the first week I already feel eternally grateful for the opportunity to be a part of Gerson Zevi’s Land Art Road Trip.

From my interview with Alexander Getty and conversations with some of the other artists I better understand that there is not one way to pursue your dreams. Everyone goes about it differently and everyone gets to where they want to be in their own way and time. You should never compare yourself to others, just focus on being the best artist you can be. Stay patient, driven, and focused and eventually you will get there.

Nature can provide a certain kind of peace and serenity that the city just can’t deliver. Spending time at the Spiral Jetty, the Sun Tunnels, the Bonneville Salt Flats, the Valley of Fire, and Double Negative made me really appreciate the beauty and power that nature has. We have to take care of these beautiful places. If we continue to mistreat our earth, we will lose them.

Camping is not THAT bad….You get used to it. It also serves a major purpose on this trip as it allows us to experience the land art works in their entirety. It also personally helped me appreciate the luxuries of my regular life. Most of us take things as simple as running water and air conditioning completely for granted. We are lucky to have those basic comforts. Unfortunately, there are people in this world who live life without any access to them.

In my interview with Adeline de Monseignat, I was amazed to hear about her upcoming project for Dramatic Need. The purpose of the work is to help individuals in strife. It made me realize that art can actually do more than just inspire and educate, but also has the power to change the world. You just have to find a way to do it.

You can find a purpose or place for anything if you believe in it. Nancy Holt took acres of baron, previously useless land to house her Sun Tunnels. Today, people from both near and far travel to this dead, dry land to view and appreciate her art work.

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Photography Credit: Rosanna Bach

Rosanna Bach photographer, writer, and storyteller was born in Switzerland in 1990. She completed a BBA in Design Management at Parsons the New School for Design in 2012. After completing her degree, Rosanna moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina where she lived for five months working on a personal project, "Fear Builds Walls." As a result she is fluent in English, Spanish and German. In 2013 Rosanna graduated from the Documentary and Photojournalism program at the International Centre of Photography. She now lives and works in New York City.

Originally published on Promote & Preserve.