Does the thought of being without your phone and computer for a couple weeks fill you with joy or dread? Set in a remote rustic setting in the Colorado mountains, the mission of the Artists Off the Grid residency is to disentangle from technology, slow down, simplify, and focus on artmaking. Since I have noticed an increase in digital distractions and a struggle with concentration and focus in recent years, I welcomed the invitation to participate in this grand experiment. While other artists used this time for observation of nature, I chose to reflect on the psychological effects of the constant barrage of sound, stimulus, and information in a technological world.  

 

In one of his renowned TedTalks about listening, Julian Treasure states that our increasingly noisy world is gnawing away at our mental health and offers some solutions for softening this sonic assault. He recommends 3 minutes of silence per day and listening to sounds of wind, water, and birds. The birds only come out to sing when all is right in the world, so maybe there is some deep-rooted evolutionary instinct that allows us to relax when we hear these sounds. In my studio practice, I have been listening to recordings in nature and seeking more silence. The effects have been profound.

 

My hope is that you find time to carve out a little peace and quiet in the upcoming weeks, and if you are curious as to what happens when a bunch artists go radio silent in nature, check out the upcoming show “Artists Off the Grid” at Abend Gallery opening March 14.

 

“Untethered” 8×10 and “Untethered II” 10×8, Oil paintings by Kirsten Savage
(Available at AbendGallery.com)