Skip to content

Van Thi Diep | A Flourishing Commons

  • Home
  • My Story
  • Research
  • Nature Healing
  • Publications
  • Blog
  • Artwork
Van Thi Diep | A Flourishing Commons
spiral patterns in landscape at sunset

Finding Place, Shifting Perception: From Landscape as Image to Landscape as Cosmology

We cannot physically transform the world through landscape design in ten days, but we can change the way we see the world and make place by shifting perception.

Read More Finding Place, Shifting Perception: From Landscape as Image to Landscape as CosmologyContinue

rock formations landscape

Finding Truth in the “Void” Through Chinese Landscape Painting

The Void can be found in the archetypal landscape between heaven and earth, humanity and divinity. It is a clearing for truth in Heidegger’s phenomenology.

Read More Finding Truth in the “Void” Through Chinese Landscape PaintingContinue

painting of boots by Van Gogh

Heidegger’s Hermeneutic Circle: What is the Meaning of Art?

In The Origin of the Work of Art, Heidegger uses the hermeneutic circle to show that working and thinking are processes of unconcealing existential truth.

Read More Heidegger’s Hermeneutic Circle: What is the Meaning of Art?Continue

painting of a hut with mountains behind

Appreciation for Johan Christian Dahl

Johan Christian Dahl is the best representative of the three pillars of Romantic art: spiritual connection, scientific observation, and personal expression.

Read More Appreciation for Johan Christian DahlContinue

painting of abstract ship in storm during sunrise

Between Science and Mystery: Representing the Intangible in Romantic art

While Romantic science deliberated over nature’s purpose, the existence of souls, and Earth’s creation, Romantic art turned to these subjects for inspiration.

Read More Between Science and Mystery: Representing the Intangible in Romantic artContinue

etching of frankenstein and monster

Romantic Science, the Existence of Souls, and Nature’s Truth

Romantic science was sentimental and subjective and was simultaneously inseparable from and at tensions with religious faith. Art revealed this duality.

Read More Romantic Science, the Existence of Souls, and Nature’s TruthContinue

painting of small figure in landscape with sky and water

Introduction to the Sublime in Romanticism and Luminism

This post discusses Burke and Kant’s sublime and shows examples of landscape paintings by Northern European Romantics, the Hudson River School and Luminists.

Read More Introduction to the Sublime in Romanticism and LuminismContinue

painting of 18th century people gathered around experiment

In Search for Truth: Science, Faith, and the Representation of Nature in Romantic Art

In Romantic landscape paintings we can find evidence of how science, faith, and the representation of nature shape the way we see landscapes and nature today.

Read More In Search for Truth: Science, Faith, and the Representation of Nature in Romantic ArtContinue

painting of misty landscape with water and trees

Romanticism and Nostalgia: The Modern Condition

Romanticism and nostalgia are paradoxes of modernity: to be authentic within illusions, yearn for individualism in connectedness, and find pleasure in mourning.

Read More Romanticism and Nostalgia: The Modern ConditionContinue

About

This blog consists of philosophical musings I have about life and world. I write about spirituality, nature, culture, personal growth, and many things in between. My explorations on social issues and collective trauma are based on intuition and personal experiences.

Categories

Book Recommendations

Join me in learning to be human!

The lessons of humanity can be both tough and rewarding. Let's not try to do it all alone! Join A Flourishing Commons community to witness life together. Get freebie downloads and updates of my writing, artwork, and other activities.

Join Now For Free

Membership powered by Fourthwall.com

YouTube Pinterest

Privacy Policy | Shop Policy

© Van Thi Diep, 2025

Scroll to top
  • Home
  • My Story
  • Research
  • Nature Healing
  • Publications
  • Blog
  • Artwork