Uncontrolled Abstraction: The Elements

These images are part of an on-going experimental process, which involves the creation of alternative landscapes by exposing large format film negatives to natural elements, analogous to the classical elements of Earth, Air, Fire and Water, the building blocks of philosophical theories around the globe.

Through careful research I have developed an approach to which I refer to as Uncontrolled Abstraction. While certain aspects are under my command, the results are left to the mercy of the environments they are placed within or the forces they are subjected to.  Fire, ice, smoke and micro explosions all bring an unpredictable nature particularly when combined with the film, which has its own history and reacts accordingly.

I see this experimental and unpredictable aspect of the project as being grounded in the history of analogue photography while also looking forward through the prism of creation, of building something new by combining these natural ingredients.