Delicate Citrus

In the simplicity of daily rituals, like the peeling of an orange, lie profound metaphors for the human condition. As I observed the ordinary act of my grandmother dividing ripe, citrus flesh after dinner, a ritual emerged as a representation of mankind's dominion over nature. The orange, a fruit celebrated in many cultures for its perfect form and sweet taste, is the primary symbol in my work. Serving as a symbol of fortune and fragility. My sustained investigation considers the juxtaposition of innocence and the inevitable intervention, perhaps even violation, by human hands.

The images that I have captured seek to examine the fragility of purity. Each orange represents untouched, unblemished innocence, being a naturally occurring and succulent fruit. The viewer is faced with the stark reality of the destruction of this familiarly cherished and delicately handled object. The scene is stripped to its core elements: the oranges are the avatars of untouched nature, the hands embody human influence, and the knife is the tool that alters existence.

My compositions are intentionally sparse, directing the focus to the visceral interactions between human intention and the passive object. This tension resonates with the contemporary dialogue on how humanity alters and often harms the natural environment through acts of consumption, control, and power. Each frame is a study of action and consequence, a chronicle of the imprint left by human touch.

Throughout my artistic practice, the development of my work has been an organic evolution, marked by a cyclical process of practice, experimentation, and revision. Initially, my practice consisted of simply observing and photographing the destruction of an orange (Photo 1). However, as my investigation deepened, I began to experiment with the moment of intervention – when the fruit transitions from its natural state to one altered by human interaction (Photo 2+3). I used long exposure to show the passage of time, unveiling the ongoing nature of corruption of the natural world. As I continued to experiment, I became interested in the moment of exposure, and the utility of photography to expose an act (Photo 4+5). I began capturing the oranges in a state of frozen action using high-speed photography, which allowed the viewer to witness moments not typically seen by the naked eye. This technique gave a dramatic pause to the narrative, encapsulating the precise moment of change. The sustained investigation evolved from a simple exploration of a daily act to a multifaceted narrative that questioned and depicted the broader implications of human interaction with nature. By the end, my work did not merely document an action but had become a deliberate commentary on the intersection of natural purity and human intervention.