A common theme in my photography is the tension between man and nature. Often, I photograph industrial ruins and the plants that overgrow them; nature taking back what is hers. For this show, however, I decided to focus on the fact that the beauty of nature persists even when its elements have been adapted for man's use. The plants in these photos have been enslaved, so to speak. The fact that they have been removed from their natural setting in order to serve a designed purpose does nothing, however, to diminish their inherent beauty.
In the war between Man and Nature there can be only one victor. The weaker of the two combatants, Man, perhaps sensing His ultimate demise, attempts to dominate His adversary by enslaving Her children. These children perform their involuntary roles admirably, silently waiting for the moment when Man's actions ensure His own destruction. For Man, the architect of His own annihilation, there will be no war crimes tribunal. There will be no Nuremberg Trial. There will be no imposed restitution. Only Nature will remain to bask in Her victory, although from this victory She derives no satisfaction. At that moment of truth, the children of Nature will simply consume the fetid remains Man and all of His vulgar trappings. Until the time of the great cataclysm, in which Man will perish in the fiery doom of his own design, exalt the beauty of Nature's children, for they are Your slaves. You are the master, for You are Man. Your slaves exist to serve Your bidding, until the day when they tower over Your remains, and the world shall be born anew.
If you are interested in acquiring a print version of any of the following photographs, please email me!
All images herein, unless indicated otherwise, are copyright 1996-2005 by Bo Riley. All rights reserved.
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Macintosh über Alles!