All possible forests #6 Self Portrait, 2023

Maria Jose Arjona  

From the series All Possible Forest
Inkjet print on photo rag bryta (Archival Paper)

This captivating artwork presents a solitary figure perched upon a rustic rock, blending seamlessly into the rugged landscape. Clad in dark attire, the individual cradles a luminous, golden vessel, raised toward the sky as if in an ancient ritual. The contrast between the person’s dark silhouette and the vessel's metallic sheen creates a striking visual focal point. The background features a textured, earthy cliffside that exudes a timeless, weathered beauty, accentuating the harmonious interaction between human presence and nature. Subtle foliage in the upper corner adds a touch of verdancy, enhancing the scene's natural dynamic. This work uniquely captures a moment of introspection and connection, symbolizing harmony between humanity and the natural world, and evokes a sense of awe and contemplation. Its simplicity and depth embody a narrative that is both poignant and universal.

Other Possible Forests unfolds a horizon of vital potentialities, where listening serves as a conduit for exploring the natural world, immersing us in its molecular memory and transposing the sounds and language of the Colombian jungle into the urban realm. Following the course of the Guaviare River to Cerro Azul in the San José del Guaviare region, María José Arjona meticulously gathers the sonic heritage of this pivotal and liminal territory. This act of listening emerges as a political gesture, positing the body as a site of resonance and a nexus between disparate worlds. The photographs emerge as one of the multifaceted layers constituting the totality of the project, forging a nuanced relationship between the creation of visual imagery and the soundscapes that inherently envelop them. Central to these compositions, the copper cone invites the viewer to engage in an act of listening that transcends visual perception. This perfor-imaginative exercise hints at the emergence of another forest beyond the perceptible, an affective space shared by beings that co-vibrate with the planet. In this context, distinctions between the artist's corporeal presence, what we conventionally classify as nature, and the observer become increasingly porous; dissolution manifests as the sonic dimensio permeates the visual horizon, submerging anthropocentric narratives and situating us within a less predictable yet profoundly affective realm.