Involuntary Parks by Caitlin Parker.
“The continent’s imperiled rims therefore become a new kind of landscape, the Involuntary Parks. They are not representations of untouched nature, but of vengeful nature, of natural processes reasserting themselves in areas of political and technological collapse. An embarrassment during the twentieth century, Involuntary Parks could become a somber necessity during the twenty-first.” —Bruce Sterling
Laurie Sermos’ photographs deal with the visible intersection of natural and created environments. Within these modern landscape images, nature or constructed environments of nature are represented as places to be considered and looked at. The environments photographed are often places built with an intended functionality. However through the act of photography, we are able to pause and engage with these environments in a way that allows for a different kind of reflection.
Youngsuk Suh: “For the past three years, I have been living in the central valley of Northern California and this has afforded opportunities to observe a variety of human activities within natural environments. Many of these activities take place in less-regulated (or private) lands and seem to be a more direct expression of our desire to commune with nature. The images in this series are monuments to this individual desire. One travels away from civilization in order to be immersed in ’pure’ nature only to discover oneself an alternative civilized institution. Yet despite the cynicism implied in the study of modern travel, the genuine desire for close bodily contact with nature cannot be ignored. No matter how illusory the “nature” experience may be, one stands at the peak of a mountain yearning to be profoundly moved. Instant Traveler collects these traces of longing”
Emma Kunz was aresearcher, healer, and prolific artist, who also discovered the healing rock powder AION A, which has helped thousands of people on their path to recovery.
‘Seconds’ are items, which, in some way, are not quite right. They are imperfect and therefore of lesser value. But who made these rules that we use to judge perfection? Who says the decoration has to be in the center? Who says a whole bird is better than half a bird? Who says a flower can’t grow down? - Jason Miller
Ceramic Superordinate Antler Chandelier by Jason Miller (Miller Studio)