symbiosis







This ongoing project explores ecology, specifically symbiosis and ecosystems. The series of cyanotypes aims to draw attention to the small but vital interactions that happen within our ecosystems that we are often oblivious to, yet are so important.

Moss plays a significance in this work as it absorbs pollution and particles from the air that are dangerous to inhale, such as PM 2.5 and PM 10, and processes these into small layers of soil. Moss is also often the first life to grow after a forest fire, and its existence enables other life to return. Despite this importance, the majority of UK households see moss as an inconvenience- something you don’t want on your roof, in your gutter or on your lawn, and so it is removed despite its importance to our ecosystems.

Moss is added to the cyanotype along with other elements, such as soil and salt, which is moistened so that salt crystals form. Micro-ecosystems resembling dystopian landscapes are made, and the cyanotypes became alive, living and growing. As the sun rotates, the UV light passes through the forming salt crystals and documents their growth. The resulting cyanotype documents the interaction of these elements, highlighting the beauty of the small interactions in our ecosystem and drawing attention to these.









       
                       
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