Nature reclaims what man neglects
Yesterday my computer decided I’d been having it too easy lately – so it went on strike. Or perhaps it’s having a giant strop. Whatever it is, it thinks it is fun not to let me access the network.
I decided to ignore it and go outside to spend time with nature. I find the natural world much more forgiving than technology. But I know only too well, that cannot be taken for granted.
We are fast reaching a tipping point where ‘man’ is no longer merely ‘neglecting’, but abusing, exploiting, and ultimately annihilating every aspect of our natural environment.
I used technology to capture the essence of life in my garden as it fades into Autumn.
Technology, computers and AI are spoken of with a sense of reverence – but who created the machine, who programs it, who sets it in motion? Can we really replicate the human brain?
We speak of the marvels of photography, photographic records – but where does the raw material for the images come from? Can we really enhance nature?
Synthetic materials were the answer to our ills; they could cheaply clothe the poor, they were easily laundered, they were non-porous and so hygienic. But now we have plastic choking the life out of our oceans, providing breeding grounds for bacteria, so it comes with little surprise to find we are returning to wood, jute, and cotton, and turning to bamboo.
Here is my meagre offering of the images I worked on today – computer said ‘yes’ – of mature ivy wrapping itself around a felled conifer. The conifer fell five years ago, a victim of Storm Frank. Like the game of rock – paper – scissors, nature too has its hierarchy: wind fells the mighty tree, ivy entwines the fallen giant, wind-lashed rains bruise the twining tendrils.
I can distort the composition, change the colours and depth of hue – but the beauty remains in the shape, the pattern, and the texture of each leaf. I can transform natural objects into abstract form, but I cannot improve on the inherent natural element.
As more is discovered about human nature – our passions, needs, and vulnerabilities – the huge benefit that the natural world provides is also being understood. We must not lose sight of that. We dare not let it go.
Thank you for reading my words.
Marilyn X
marilyn unmasked 