Life of the Land: Born of Fire
Born of Fire allows us to briefly witness the birthing of new land through an apocalyptic volcanic event and gives us a rare view of nature replenishing itself.
Since the beginning of time, each volcanic cycle begins a regenerative process that has perpetuated the growth and transformation of our islands. With each volcanic event, molten lava begins to violently fight for its rightful birth. Each contraction moves the molten lava through the earthʻs birthing tube and, eventually, with one last thrust, the molten lava is expelled with such force that the earthen womb rips open and a fissure is evident upon the land. The earthʻs magma begins to spill uncontrollably out of the earthen womb and as the magma hits the cool air or oceanic water the molten lava begins to take the form of new land. With each subsequent volcanic eruption or birth, the land mass grows and its landscapes and shorelines become an incubator for the microcosmic organisms that emerge and cling to the new volcanic soil as life takes hold.
Born of Fire is a chapter from a much larger body of aerial (helicopter) photographic work that documents the life of the land on Hawai’i island over a brief five-year period. This volcanic cycle has repeated itself over and over again throughout time, this is a testament to the island’s endurance and perseverance and bear witness to this land Born of Fire.