A visual conversation across hemispheres and seasons.
I first discovered earlier this year when I was a curator for a photobook open call by Japanese publisher Ephemere. I immediately fell in love with her lush and poetic monochrome photographs that evoked a world I wanted to walk into — one that gently beckoned with inky depths and airy lights. I explored her work online and found that she is also a writer who composes work in words and images.
Kindred spirit!
I reached out to her and we started following each other’s work.
I am elated today to present our first collaboration — a call-and-response across hemispheres and seasons. From Australian spring to Swiss autumn.
For this part 1 of 2, Erica sent me an image — and this is my visual response.
Part 1: “Unfold/Unbind”
Erica sent me this stunning photograph of a freshly-opened iris shot from above, all growth and grace.
I started scanning my daily life and world in order to find a response – pattern-seeking for similar forms or moods in a cool and gray Zürich where the light grows shorter each day. I ended up stumbling upon my pairing.
Last week, on the new moon (as it happens), I had a last therapy appointment — a closing ceremony of sorts — where I’d written and read aloud a letter to release someone from my mind and body. I’d planned to crumple it up and toss it away, but as an aside, told my therapist that actually I’d rather burn it. He said well, I have a lighter and there’s a courtyard out back. And so that kind soul found a perfect white bowl and sat quietly with me under a towering pine tree as we watched, eyes glowing, the letter burn into a beautiful silver ash flower.
I was open.
I was free.
To be continued in Part 2… by .
xx
JILL.DESIGN 
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