Desert Stones & The Passage Of Time

Edge of Humanity Magazine

8 months ago

Photographer Ken Collins is the Edge of Humanity Magazine contributor of this photo essay. From the project ‘Stones’. To see Ken ’s body of work, click on any photograph.

Human existence invites reflection of our place on the planet and our stewardship of the planet. While we might perceive our civilizations and achievements as grand and enduring, they are incredibly ephemeral compared to the eonian timescales of earth’s history. The human experience is both precious and fleeting. The interplay between eonian and ephemeral in the context of climate change reflects both the urgency and the lasting consequences of our current environmental crisis:

The stones of Joshua Tree are vast and of immeasurable duration, indestructible and eternal. There is a sense of timelessness that transcends the limits of human understanding of time. Our existence on the planet is remarkably short by comparison.

The ephemeral reflects the transitory nature of life, things subject to change or decay. The cycle of leaves perfectly captures this idea, the passage of time, mortality but also a distinct beauty. The cycle represents a vibrancy and an inevitable decline and ultimate renewal.

Bio 

Professional photographer and artist in NYC.  Work has been published in numerous magazines including American Theater, New York Magazine, The New York Times, Artnews,  Inc,  Newsweek,  Orion, Lenswork, etc.  Umbrage Books published Ken’s award-winning portrait series of American Playwrights titled In Their Company, Portraits of American Playwrights.  Ken has had a number of solo and group exhibitions in galleries and museums. His work is included in private and public collections. Ken teaches at the International Center of Photography.

All images and text © Ken Collins