The Escape Artist
“I like to imagine this secluded cabin as a retreat for a seasoned novelist. In my mind, they sit facing a window to take in the gorgeous view while they frantically type out their next bestseller”
“I like to imagine this secluded cabin as a retreat for a seasoned novelist. In my mind, they sit facing a window to take in the gorgeous view while they frantically type out their next bestseller,” says photographer Alison Holcomb of her piece titled Little Cabin in the Woods.
Escapism, or the practice of distracting oneself from unpleasant realities via their imagination and activities, remains a major trend worldwide as the pandemic carries on and political environments continue to heat up. The trend has been the driving factor behind larger movements such as the experience economy (which companies like Airbnb have profited from) and the Cottagecore trend that rose to popularity in 2020 and is still going strong. “Our world is very fraught right now, and cottagecore can be a welcome respite,” says Katie Calautti in The Reality of Escapism: Breaking Down the Cottagecore Trend. "While quitting our jobs, shucking responsibility, and running away to live on a small farm in the Scottish Highlands isn’t something many of us can realistically manage, there are a spare few out there living the dream," notes the article's author, Anastasia Carrow.
For those of us who can’t run away to live in harmony with nature, we can certainly dream about doing so. Below is a collection of works that conjure a sense of adventure, escapism, freedom and peace.
