vista - Jan Razauskas

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vista, detail of nine erasers, drawn from stereotypical views of national parks and lands,
each: graphite on white eraser. 13/16 x 21/4 x 7/16 inches, ongoing project

vista, detail, some erasers exhibited in a wire cage - viewers rotate the cage to see the drawings

Tall Grass Prairie, graphite on white eraser. 13/16 x 21/4 x 7/16 inches

Oregon Trail, graphite on white eraser. 13/16 x 21/4 x 7/16 inches

Arches, graphite on white eraser. 13/16 x 21/4 x 7/16 inches

Old Faithful, graphite on white eraser. 13/16 x 21/4 x 7/16 inches

Half Dome, graphite on white eraser. 13/16 x 21/4 x 7/16 inches

Devil's Postpile, graphite on white eraser. 13/16 x 21/4 x 7/16 inches

Channel Islands, graphite on white eraser. 13/16 x 21/4 x 7/16 inches

Lake George, graphite on white eraser. 13/16 x 21/4 x 7/16 inches

Dead Horse Point, graphite on white eraser. 13/16 x 21/4 x 7/16 inches

Chaco Canyon, graphite on white eraser. 13/16 x 21/4 x 7/16 inches

Grand Canyon, graphite on white eraser. 13/16 x 21/4 x 7/16 inches

Grand Tetons, graphite on white eraser. 13/16 x 21/4 x 7/16 inches

Everglades, graphite on white eraser. 13/16 x 21/4 x 7/16 inches

Yosemite Falls, graphite on white eraser. 13/16 x 21/4 x 7/16 inches

Giant Sequoia, graphite on white eraser. 13/16 x 21/4 x 7/16 inches

The images used in vista are drawn from the most stereotypical, or postcard images of each site. Each presents a grand landscape formation drawn to tiny scale with graphite on white erasers – mountains, waterfalls, rock outcroppings and other features that have been categorized as national treasures. At work is the concept of the idealized landscape or view, and the power it has to prompt people to cherish or visit a particular place. Many of the sites in vista are overvisited – with delicate or irreplaceable landscape features or microsites worn or endangered from overuse. The urge to share in the collective experience of visiting a site and experiencing it firsthand thus runs contrary to the desire to shield a fragile environment from further damage.