My artwork explores the relationship of humans and nature through experimental cinematic video. Whether the imagery is philosophical about “human-ness”, metaphoric for human behavior, or expressive of emotions and memories, nature, animals, and landscape are important to my art practice.
Most recently I have sought the collaborative efforts of humans and animals to create musical performances. The post-humanist videos apply the structure of music to the functional sounds made by animals from a variety of sources (live, internet-based, and taxidermied). Although a degree of union is achieved, these videos also highlight the unresolved tension of the deliberate manipulation of the animals, the blurred distinction between imitation sources, and the animal’s resistance to the formulation of music.
Additionally, my work searches for the poetic in nature and uses video to position natural elements, such as leaves and water, as observers of humankind. Disruptions of the natural image by digital manipulation, performative actions, and the unexpected insertion of the human body transform these natural elements into fragile but resilient players in a conversation about perception, control, and change.
Studying animals and nature through art can enable humans to transcend our corporeality through comparison and introspection. Through these investigations of humans, animals, and the environment my artwork encourages critical self-reflection and an intricate examination of the nature of being human.