Lost In The Land

Lost in the Land is a project that investigates three distinctive parks in Cleveland, Ohio: Viaduct Park, Edgewater Park, and Steelyard Park also known as (Towpath Trail). This project explores the beauty of each park, as well as underlying issues such as pollution, erosion, and sewage water problems that threaten these natural ecosystems and aesthetics. The ultimate goal of my work is to educate others on the importance of preserving these natural areas, draw attention to the threats that natural environments are increasingly exposed to, and inspire others to contribute to conservation efforts. 

To capture the physical and spiritual experiences offered by these parks in Cleveland, Ohio, I have created a series of collaged photographic images which are displayed in the following formats: an immersive video projection, three 24” x 36” prints, and site-specific postcards that link to an informative website. Each collage utilizes between 25 and 40 layered photographic images of these natural landscapes to create an impressionistic representation of the feelings experienced while exploring each park. The images are intentionally obscured in order to encourage the viewer to immerse themselves in the work, rediscover the beauty of these parks through a new lens, and develop a personal, spiritual connection to the natural wonders found in Cleveland.

The video projection combines my collaged photographs with slow zoom glitch effects that disrupt the flow of the imagery. These disruptions are a representation of the impact of industry and human influence on the environment. To push this idea even further, the audio playing in the background consists of industrial, electric, and natural sounds that aid in forming a surreal atmosphere that corresponds to both the natural resonance of the park, and the intrusion of unnatural, industrial influences. The video runs on a loop, allowing the viewer to enter the space at any time and inviting them to get lost in the artwork. 

Each of my three, large-scale prints depicts a collage of images that represent each individual park. They are printed on high-quality, metallic paper to enhance the textures and colors of the collages and to allow the images to react to the light. Each print is mounted on dibond to give them a map-like appearance and quality. In each of the parks, postcards of these collaged images will be displayed as an additional interactive opportunity for the viewer to engage with the work and educate themselves about the location. On the back of the postcards, a scannable QR code links to a blog-style website that gives more information about each park and allows viewers to purchase prints or donate to conservation efforts.