The end of our time in the desert is quickly coming to a close ( we’re now at less than three weeks to go! ). The desert is a place of strong lines. Folks either love it or hate it. Jagged mountains cut across clear blue skies. Tropical oasis spring up amid the arid sand. Last year, photographer Daniel Kulka spent an artist residency in Joshua Tree National Park studying the juxtapositions of desert elements, The Edge Effects.
By positioning a glass mirror on an easel among the desert terrain, Kukla captures the harsh beauty of Joshua Tree. What is seen may be the stark contrast of a cobalt sky amid the beige or the glass may seem to disappear as it captures what can be a confusing landscape.
The imagery of the single easel, alone in the desert recalls the abandonment seen everywhere in this place. Empty homesteads left to ruin, leftover junk discarded among the cholla and joshuas. In the openness of this place, what is cast away is not hidden, it is stranded for all to see.
To see more of Daniel Kukla’s work, please visit his website.
All images are via the artist’s website.
