ARID Entry: A Journal of Desert Art, Design and Ecology

"The Structural Ecology of the Lower Desert"

My visual essay submission to ARID: A Journal of Desert Art, Design and Ecology consists of 7 previously unpublished images investigating the juxtaposition of man made structures with the natural architectural elements found in the desert landscapes of 29 Palms and Joshua Tree. Taken throughout the summer of 2003, I began to explore and investigate how these communities visually impacted and blended with the natural environment of the lower desert. 

I approached the composition, subject matter and scale with deliberate intent. The snapshot quality of prints with white borders, fingers in front of the lens and a pilgrimage to Gram Parsons' last hotel room, lends itself to a folksy feel - as if a tourist on vacation. 

The man made one story structures, all harkening back to an era of wooden road signs and drive up photo huts, were engulfed by the vast open spaces, towering moonscape mountains and human like totems of the Joshua trees which dominated the environment. 

For your consideration,

Julie Pavlowski Green

May 3, 2014