Week 4: Compositions of Decomposition

I love nature and all it's amazing processes. I'm sure we've noticed from my pictures. Well, earlier this quarter, I stumbled across decomposition happening on our very own campus! I thought it was kind of amazing since UCI seems to think there shouldn't be any leaf out of place. I was very happy when I saw these leaves.

This picture seems hectic, yet focused. I couldn't help but notice that my eyes seem to go to the bottom right leaf- the one that is not completely decomposing yet. I believe this has a lot to do with the fact that it is solid and is the brightest leaf in the picture. This reminded me that no matter how busy or hectic a set or scene can get in a play, you can still bring focus by guiding the eye with a bright light, or a different light that doesn't necessarily match the others-just like this leaf is doing in the picture.

However, after my eye leaves that leaf (hah), it wanders to the leaves that are decomposing. First the big one coming down the center and then the bottom left one. These are cool leaves. They actually remind me of scrim, and I believe they are somewhat acting like that too. They light is coming from above me, and these leaves are concealing what's underneath. Of course, it could just be the texture of the leaves that is thicker and therefore we cant see through them; but I liked the idea of these leaves functioning as mini scrims in this little world. It seems very fantastical that nature creates scrims for the sun to play with.

Last, I take the whole picture in. The abundance of textures is absolutely amazing to me. Each shape has it's own shadow and high light, and leaves our eyes happily wandering through leaves of texture one step at a time.

-Erika

ps. I hope you enjoyed my puns.