TRACYFISH

Trees and Concrete is on-going series that examines the landscape of Brooklyn, New York – a borough recognized for its urban development. Born and raised in Brooklyn, my personal connection to this geography combined with my physical distance since moving away increased my awareness of its continuous growth and transformation every time I return. The calm naturalistic quiet of my photos is an illusion, no different than the illusion of stability within the landscape.

Many neighborhoods or parks were constructed from landfill that created a connection of the space between the small marsh islands along the coastline of the borough. It is through this artificial land that allowed for the city to create a larger footprint. At times, changes within the physical landscape occur at speeds that tend to be hard for individuals to recognize. This merely creates an appearance of stability. Vast changes happen rapidly; consequences from Hurricane Sandy, urban expansion, the removal of buildings or trees, the clearing of lots, redeveloped greenspaces – all are occurrences that turn the land and its usage into something else.

A hybridity is left within the landscape; a part man-made, part natural ecosystem comprised of forest, sea-level meadows, salt marsh, fresh ponds, beaches, dunes. All are a vital part to the ecology of the region, however in danger due to high risk flood zones and climate change. As the future of this urban landscape remains uncertain, I intend to continue exploring and documenting this complex transformation of the land.