33 Variations of a Definition of a Landscape
landscape --n. 1 natural or imaginary scenery, as seen in a broad view.
After coming across this definition in the OED, I wanted to see what would happen if I were to broaden my own idea of what constitutes a landscape.
So I scour the landscape in search of new ones. Interesting things happen. In my travels, I come to realize that sometimes the illusion or suggestion of a landscape can be far more intriguing and expansive than what we've come to anticipate as the traditional form. Mirages come to mind. When we open the idea of landscape to interpretation, the possibilities open, too. I ask a fellow photographer his definition, and the reply suggests even greater latitude: "Something horizontal."
My definition of landscape continues to evolve, like the landscape itself: always changing, and depending on your point of view, forever fascinating.
[Why 33 variations? Perhaps the most compelling variations ever composed for the piano are Beethoven's 33 Variations on a Waltz by Diabelli. They challenge the definition of a variation as they run brilliantly rampant from their simple theme. 33 felt like a good number.]
