Flowers of New York Series

Flowers of New York

The experimental photography series Flowers of New York (FONY), is an embodied experience of perception and the interaction between subject and world. Izaguirre’s images emphasize the inseparable connection between the mind, body, and language. She argues that our understanding of reality is fundamentally intertwined with our bodily experiences, as well as with internal and external technologies, such as self-reflection and the camera.

One in unity

In the realm of blossoms, the wind orchestrates a cataclysm, propelling the polem across vast distances, swaying inebriated insects on nectar’s tide. Within this floral realm, hues defy possibility, assuming contours both rounded and concave, evoking shapes that stir the senses. A hidden world resides there, ever birthing and perishing—an alien realm, so foreign to me. Yet, its allure compels my gaze, longing to absorb and be absorbed, to intertwine and linger within.

In the realm of blossoms, I unearthed a dance, a subtle choreography, barely perceptible. The wind’s intricate ballet, ceaselessly restless. And there, another dance unfolds—the sun’s watchful eye that both illuminates and blinds. To partake in their graceful movements, to undergo their cataclysmic embrace, is to metamorphose into a flower. Only then does the image materialize, transforming into corporeal form, revealing its secrets.

Field Notes at the Kew Gardens. London, UK.

Flowers of New York. New York Botanical Garden, 2017

Concept

Flowers of New York is inspired by the concept of becoming, originating in ancient Greece’s eastern region and popularized by the philosopher Heraclitus of Ephesus. The collection represents the phrase in Plato’s Cratylus: “All entities move, and nothing remains still.” This abstract garden reveals the fleeting forms of reality captured in a dynamic nature.

The images in this series recreate light and wind as expressive materials. From each contemplation of the existence of a flower, abstractions of a microcosm invisible to the human eye arise; a universe full of sensuality; an amazing eroticism revealed in shapes, colors, and textures.

The Flowers of New York series also invites viewers to immerse themselves in the interplay between perception and the physical world. It explores the intricate relationship between the human experience and the essence of flowers, delving into the profound connection between our senses, emotions, and the fleeting beauty of nature.

Through these captivating images, the series transcends mere documentation and invites contemplation of the deeper layers of existence. It beckons us to witness the hidden poetry that unfolds within the delicate petals, the dance of light and shadow that breathes life into each frame, and the ethereal essence that permeates the air.

By capturing these moments of grace and transience, the series grasps fragments of a larger narrative—the eternal cycle of birth, growth, decay, and rebirth that permeates all living beings. It is a visual meditation on the profound interconnectedness of all things and an invitation to explore the mysteries that lie beyond our everyday perception.

Flowers of New York is an ode to the fleeting beauty and profound wisdom in the natural world, reminding us to cherish and celebrate the ephemeral moments that imbue our lives with depth and meaning.

Project Background

Between 2004 and 2006, I worked alongside Professor Eduardo López in teaching the theoretical-practical workshop “Introduction to Visual Communication” at Prodiseño School of Visual Communication.

During this workshop, first-year graphic design students learned the fundamentals of visual language and explored how humans produce and use visual signs and symbols to communicate and make sense of the world.

The laboratory approached the study of semiotics, examining how different signs, such as words, images, gestures, or objects, represent experiences, ideas, concepts, or messages. It also explored how these signs are used in various contexts and cultures and how they influence our understanding and interpretation of the surrounding world.

The workshop began with a visit to the Caracas Botanical Garden, where we encouraged students to explore nature. They were required to document their experiences through photography and sketching. Based on their field notes, they then had to develop graphic systems that conveyed what they had perceived.

Exhibitions

The flower collection comprises three series, one captured at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden and two at the New York Botanical Garden. Subsequently, during my travels to London in 2019, I completed a fourth series at the Kew Gardens.

In 2017, I had the opportunity to participate in the annual group show of Long Island City artists at Plaxall Gallery, showcasing four images from the Flowers of New York series. This exhibition was followed by additional group shows in Chelsea and Connecticut.

Awards

2017 | Izaguirre, Maria (United States). International Photographer of the Year Contest, Honorable Mention in Fine Art, Conceptual.

Exhibitions

2017 | Making Connections, Henry DeFord Gallery. Showing: Flowers of New York (FONY) CiTi Group at Citi, One Court Square at 44th, Dr., Long Island City, NY 11101. October 26th – January 30th, 2017. Juror Elizabeth Hoy

2017 | Visual Narratives, Loft Artist Association. Showing: Flowers of New York (FONY) 575 Pacific Street, Stamford CT 06902. August 26 – Sept. 24, 2017. Juror Katerina Lanfrancohad.

2017 | Making Connections, Plaxall Gallery. Showing: Flowers of New York (FONY) 5-46 46th Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101. August 26 – Sept. 24, 2017. Juror Elizabeth Hoy

Tech Specs

Format: Bodily, performative photography, hyper-realism
Dimensions: 9 x 9 in; 24 x 30 in; 36 x 48 in.
Medium: Digital and Printed
Year of creation: 2016
Year of completion: 2019
Series:
- Flowers of New York I, Brooklyn Botanical Garden, 2016
- Flowers of New York II, New York Botanical Garden, 2017
- Flowers of New York III, New York Botanical Garden, 2018
- Flowers of London I, Kew Gardens, 2019

To capture these photographs, I developed my own technique using a Canon EOSD camera. The editing of the images is minimal. They are not a photomontage.