06/04/2025

Pitch Open Call od’us festival 2025

Nature Morte / Nature Vivante

La Dialectique de la Mort et de la Vie

Nature Morte / Nature Vivante - La Dialectique de la Mort et de la Vie

Composed Photo

16:9 – 6000 pix x 3375 pix

2025

In art, 'Nature Morte' and 'Nature Vivante' are two polar concepts that capture the essence of existence. 'Nature Morte' symbolizes impermanence and the inevitability of death, while 'Nature Vivante' represents vitality and the continuous cycle of life. This contradiction is a powerful theme in art that has fascinated artists throughout the ages.

An animal bone and a spider's web are juxtaposed. The bone, a remnant of a once living creature, serves as a tangible reminder of the impermanence of life. It is a symbol of decay and dissolution, a “Nature Morte” par excellence. The spider web, on the other hand, delicate and intricate, represents the persistent presence of life. It is a creation of a living being, a testament to the resilience and perseverance of nature. It is a “Nature Vivante” in its most essential form.

The juxtaposition of these two elements creates a visual dialectic, a tension between death and life. The bone, with its rough texture and earthy tones, is a stark contrast to the ethereal, almost translucent cobweb. The bone is static, an object of the past, while the spider web is dynamic, a symbol of constant activity.

From an art perspective, this composite photograph challenges traditional notions of “Nature Morte” and “Nature Vivante. It blurs the boundaries between the two concepts, making us appreciate the interconnectedness of death and life. The bone, though dead, is part of the natural cycle, a source of food for other organisms. The spider web, though alive, is also fragile, prone to destruction.

The photograph invites us to reflect on the duality of existence, the constant interaction between creation and decay. It reminds us that death is not an end, but a transformation, a transition to a new form of life. The spider web, with its delicate threads, symbolizes the interconnectedness of all living things, the web of life that connects us all.