Breath - Assignment 02

Deforestation represents the second largest contributor to climate change on the planet. ‘Breath’ is again about deforestation and is another attempt to create a more visceral response by revealing the symbiotic relationship humans share with nature, trees in particular. The background image slivers show close up shots of trees in multiple perspectives and textures in a natural forested landscape. This is the world as it should be, lush and living, diverse, breathable, natural.  The center image, which imposes itself over the vertical slivers, shows a singular image of foggy desolation.  The smoldering tree stumps create an atmosphere that looks toxic and choking.  The text over the image alludes to the process of carbon dioxides conversion into oxygen by plants through photosynthesis. Trees absorb CO2, much of which is created by humans or human activity, and then release oxygen into the air, which then humans breathe in. It is my hope that by equating breath to this relationship and showing a contrast of breathable and non-breathable spaces, the image will create a jarring effect in the viewer, a cognitive dissonance that makes them think about the cost of convenience.  Not only is deforestation choking our planet, it’s choking us as well. Ultimately this image reminds us that as natural beings, we are actually a part of nature and that our ‘dominance’ of the landscape and exorbitant commodification of natural resources is ultimately detrimental to our own well-being.

-Evan Tedlock