Beauty in
the Breakdown
Nicole Brisco
Most human beings look at erosion as the destruction
of a surface, but as artists, we can see that erosion often
creates indefinable beauty. Where do you see beauty in
the breakdown? I wanted my students to look at these
qualities to inspire them to create unique and mean-
ingful compositions. We always begin approaching our
concepts simply by defining them. What images are
conjured when you read the following definition?
e.ro.sion n. e·ro’sion·al adj., e·ro’sion·al·ly adv.
1. The group of natural processes, including weathering, dissolution, abrasion, corrosion, and transportation, by which material is worn away. 2. The process of
eroding or the condition of being eroded: erosion of the
beach; progressive erosion of confidence in our legal
system; erosion of the value of the dollar abroad.
Initial Investigation
Have students begin by exploring this series of questions in their sketchbooks.
• Where is erosion seen?
