ISABELLA GUTTUSO
UNDERGRADUATE, CREATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY
Gardening Eden
cyanotype collage on fabric
With human induced shifts in world ecosystems and climate ensue, theologians, scientists, environmentalists, and religious leaders alike are grasping the dire need for a revolution within their fields of study or worship. Re-imaging religious narratives is needed as we realize the profound effects these stories have on guiding human nature throughout history. Spiritual Ecology is defined as an emerging field in religion, conservation, and academia recognizing that there is a spiritual facet to all issues related to conservation, environmentalism, and earth stewardship. Contemporary conservation efforts need to include spiritual elements, and contemporary religion needs to be aware and engage in ecological issues. The call for reimagining religious narratives is being heard as we realize the profound effects stories have on human nature throughout history. By collaging historical paintings of the Garden of Eden through the cyanotype process, I rendered a new setting for Eve to interact positively with nature. She plants a young apple tree; fostering knowledge while cultivating a relationship with the land in a spiritual context.
