Negative Space

In art class we are taught to look not at the object but the space around it. Does negative space apply to other problems in life? I think so. A pressing problem is the decision on Block Island to approve our application for enhancements to the house. The application is cut and dry - an addition around the current footptint and a raised corner with a balcony. The negative space around the application is a sea of emotions, opinions, assumptions, and assertions that make the application stand out. The outcome of the request gets lost in all this sea and bleeds into the swirl like watercolor paint. The application and its attendant fragments lie against a background of controversy, accusation, and insult that has gone on for years. It is difficult to separate it out and isolate it on its merits. As with art the negative spaceof the opposition makes the applciation stand out.