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Rare Earth: Planet

A certain Chinese tradition calls for semi-precious stones and minerals to be submerged in water for an indefinite period of time. Upon retrieval, the hard mass appears softened. Moreover, water leaves peculiar markings which resemble inner organs or blood vessels;indelible stains left by an invisible hand.

The Freshwater, Saltwater, and Rare Earth images result from an observation that over time, objects and places immersed in water bear an indicative imprint. Growth and decay, life and death are constant activities wherever light penetrates water. Water, like light, is bothparticulate and wave-like. These photographs seek the mirky, metaphorical, and permeating conditions which occur at the juncture of light and water.

In order to abstract the spirit from the form, I seldom think of photography as the effective evidence of something that once existed. Resemblance reproduces the formal aspects of objects but neglects their spirit; truth shows the spirit and substance in like perfection. My photographs are not records of what has existed, rather, they are �photo-extracts� of lands, of waters, ofcities, of various objects we call matter. - Some aspects of life such as energy or Qi cannot be physically translated. The meanings of these energies are ultimately manifested in parallels. Light can be reflected, refracted, focused by a lens, polarized, and interfered with. An alien visitor to Earth would undoubtedly interpret the surface of this planet quite differently from an inhabitant. Each time I photograph the Aerial View series through an airplane window, I wonder whether the sights I am drawn to would be as beautiful to an extra-terrestrial.

Saltwater: golden seal