Space

The challenge in the space assignment is to shift your intention from seeing forms in space to seeing visual space itself—space that surrounds things and space that is between things. Usually we notice only the objects in space. What lies between them is a visual black hole.

Visual space can affect you in a variety of ways. Sometimes it can feel very two dimensional, like the space between two large rocks. At other times it can feel more three-dimensional, with qualities of depth and openness you can sense and see. Sometimes space can feel flat, full, and tight. At other times it can be very relaxing. Space can be startling. We are so used to looking at things that to see the absence of things can throw us off balance. This can be unsettling and provocative.

All perceptions appear in space, even color, texture, and light. To shift the focus of your eyes and mind from things to space, you need to relax habits of nailing down objects of perception with concepts. You have to lighten up the process of looking to tune in to this less-tangible experience.