Danny Jay - "Smelling Bay Leaves in Asphalt"
Danny Jay has always been interested in how people anthropomorphize nature. When living next to the ocean, it feels like everyone around associates the natural world with joy, happiness, or a carefree lifestyle. The sound of waves crashing equals relaxation; wildflowers growing on the side of the highway are a spark of life. Danny has had a hard time not seeing anxiety in a landscape, though. Redwood bark grows thick with age. Dry soil invites ground hornets. Strong currents demolish a fragile coastline. The smell of eucalyptus is a tactical distraction. In the woods wandered through, it feels like something is hiding. Danny can’t help but feel nature yearning for something that can’t quite be put a finger on.
This body of work is related to a recent move Danny made. He went from spending the majority of his time photographing in the forest or on the coast to being surrounded by people, exploring the rolling hills of San Francisco. He thought being in an urban environment would distract him from this natural unease. Instead, it has made it more clear. Ivy bleeds down from buildings. Pigeons are desperate for loose bread. Prairie grass fills vacant lots like a meadow. People collectively pray to god in skin-tight alleys. Danny makes eye contact with some people and no words need to be spoken. They know the other feels the same way.