[suit.a.ble] The pursuit of happiness: Crossing the Corrugated Rubicon in Ephemeral Triumph
Against a towering backdrop of an all-encompassing inland rainforest, two figures celebrate a transitory moment of clairvoyant ascendancy over the grinding exigencies of human existence. The viewer is invited to witness—from the perspective of the forest itself—the couple’s elegant and haunting defiance against the hamsteresque treadmill of postindustrial travailles. In so doing, the figures empower the viewer to reflect on humanity's role as both creator and victim of its own absurdity, saturated within the natural world and its broader cosmic irony.
The towering canopy provides a stark contrast to the low valley of quasi-post-apocalyptic corrugated metal upon which the couple is posed. The contrast of the female's assertive and empowered posture and the male's relaxed disposition highlights themes of agency, passivity, strength and support, while their respective engagements with the sun and the natural world evoke reflections of self-determination vis-à-vis soulful companionship.
Her face bathed in sunlight, the triumphant feminine figure commands attention and admiration. The wind imbues the scene with a sense of playful movement and vitality, accentuating her embodiment of vitality and dynamism. Conversely, the male subject adopts a relaxed and understated demeanour, seated and securely supporting his companion—no less exultant in his masculinity. His gentle smile conveys contentment and tranquillity, his gaze directed towards the female subject with an unmistakable warmth and affection. The sunglasses and hat he wears serve as symbolic barriers to the intensity of the natural elements, subtly suggesting a desire for detachment and protection.
This striking tableau vivant invites viewers to contemplate the contradictory and conciliatory ironies of the human condition amongst the existential nihilism of the cosmos. Yet its suggested conclusions are far from depressing. Here we are shown that in each and every moment is the opportunity for pleasure, joyful gratitude, and therefore meaningful existence. For it is in the self-assured declaration of humanity and in the heroic rebellion against the absurd that we are able to claim agency, to exert free will, and to liberate ourselves from the tyrannies of loneliness and nothingness.
Thanks to Cam Whitehead for the very suitable writing
This photograph is one of 10 images produced for the [suit.a.ble] photo exhibition on March 2nd. If you would like to read about the exhibition itself CLICK HERE