Unexpected Geology
In this series I am exploring the realm of one’s environmental surroundings, how that is absorbed into one’s psyche and how this changes through relocations.
My move from the relatively flat Midwest (my place of birth) to the mountainous West (New Mexico, specifically) needed some adjustments in my way of working and seeing. Initially I was stymied by this landscape that is so fraught with cliché. But, I soon found myself aspiring to bring my new home into focus, to make it my own.
I stand back and take it all in. I have always been intrigued with mountains, their formation, evolution and beauty. I find the history of geology fascinating, the ebb and flow of minerals, deposits and formations. I am intrigued with how small rocks and stones are, essentially, mountains except for size. They are made of the same materials and minerals. Ratio, proportion, relative size, all plays a part in the magnitude of the structures. There is an aesthetic magic of scale.
I approach this work as both a window through which I observe my new surrounds (recording what I see) and a mirror where I bring my sensibilities to bear, reflecting my inner state of being. I use layering and blending modes to merge the observed environment with my internal intuition. At times I digitally place stones in my photographs of mountainous landscapes while obscuring the scale references. Other times I distort and raise the landforms in a digital dance of perception.
I don’t consider myself a “photographer” but an image-maker, as I create work that bridges the world of photography, prints and collage. As digital cameras began producing excellent resolution, I found my perfect medium. It was a true confluence of technical advancements and creative desire that culminated in my current explorations in photo-inspired art using both a camera to capture imagery and a computer to alter, combine and manipulate the pieces. My work is best described as “photomontages”.
Photography is a medium for recording reality, but I subvert its traditional intent.
Historically photography has, at times, been used to skew reality but in a way that was undetectable to the viewer. What interests me is the way I can play around with memory and time by combining photos from the past and present into one unified piece.
In general, I am drawn to the natural world; scenic features (oceans, rivers, lakes, mountains), but feel compelled to alter this world in my work, perhaps as a statement on mankind’s seeming dominion over nature. I don’t specifically or directly address these issues but let my images/photographs create a vision that gives the viewer space to create their own meaning.
My work is shown and published internationally.
Ellen Jantzen
Santa Fe, New Mexico
310 748 3451
web: http://www.ellenjantzen.com/
www.instagram.com/ellenjantzen/
