Remnants & Revival

Remnants & Revival, which addresses both the value and challenges of preserving Western lands, was inspired by my interest in conservation issues and by my personal connection to the Colorado countryside. I'm particularly interested in exploring how undeveloped landscapes have evolved during the last 100 years. The diptychs in this series reference both the dwindling remnants of undeveloped land throughout the West, and the restoration efforts that are bringing back native plants to many farmed and grazed areas in an effort to re-create an ecosystem that more closely resembles the original. Each diptych combines an image of a Colorado landscape that is protected in some way (such as through its designation as open space, a state park, etc.) with a close-up of a wild-growing plant, either native, introduced or invasive. Each plant image is matched with a photo of an ecosystem where the plant is likely to be found growing. I'm approaching this series as a way to examine the nuances of "natural" versus "unnatural" landscapes and the notion of reconstruction after destruction. The micro/macro viewpoint alludes not only to aesthetic concerns but also to an ecosystem's functionality.