Human Nature

Human Nature is a collaborative series by Erica Simone and myself. 

On view at the Adorama Gallery from July 23rd to August 16th, 2015

Many world philosophies view humanity as being One with all of life: all that exists, existed and will ever exist. As nature grows around us and as constellations surround us, we realize we were all once star dust: elements from the cosmic, descendants of the universe. We were once all born so simply in nature, surviving off the Earth—it was and is a part of us, around us. We communicated with the trees, spoke to the stars, looked into the winds for guidance. As animals, we relied on the land to feed us, to clean us, to shelter us. We are nature.

As artists who appreciate the meticulous complexities of the Earth’s natural realm, we wanted to create imagery that tells a primitive story of man: that we are, indeed, all One. We shared our photographs, blending landscapes into silhouettes, superimposing the ligaments, muscles and bones of nature, creating collaborations to unify human and Earth as we realize their complete unison.

Portraits in the Fall

I realize I haven't posted in a year on this blog and it's time to start it up again and keep the world and myself updated. These are photographs I took in the woods near Cold Spring, NY with my wonderful boyfriend Matt. On the way down the mountain from our hike we captured the final moments of daylight in golden hour and photographed each other.

There is a sense of calm during the last hours of daylight. The light is rapidly disappearing and the shadows are constantly changing but the sun is tucking all the trees and the flowers and the animals in for the night until she rises again in the morning.

Black and White Italy

Driving through Tuscany

A classic Tuscan driveway

Sienna

Florence Duomo

Portugal: Hitchhiking, Mermaids, and Pastries

I've recently been thinking about my trip to Portugal nonstop. It's because this trip was filled with an exuberant amount of beauty, energy, and exploration. Portugal allowed me to set myself free and let my inhibitions run wild. It was an experience I cherished with two friends of mine who were living there at the time. Portugal, I will come back to you soon.

“The art is not one of forgetting but letting go. And when everything else is gone, you can be rich in loss.”

Rebecca Solnit

“Leave the door open for the unknown, the door into the dark. That’s where the most important things come from, where you yourself came from, and where you will go.” 

Rebecca Solnit

“Getting lost was not a matter of geography so much as identity, a passionate desire, even an urgent need, to become no one and anyone, to shake off the shackles that remind you who you are, who others think you are.” 

Rebecca Solnit

"A city always contains more than any inhabitant can know, and a great city always makes the unknown and the possible spurs to the imagination.” 

Rebecca Solnit

All Photos Copyright © Jaci Berkopec

The Homeland: Minnesota

I brought my man home to Minnesota with me for a fall adventure. The St Croix River, Mississippi River, Fort Snelling, glacial potholes, and corn mazes. Chasing light, climbing rocks and eating candy. 

“I like this place and could willingly waste my time in it.” 

-William Shakespeare

Heroic Lumberjack Shot. Adam, Matt, Tori, Me

St Croix River. Wisconsin on the left, Minnesota on the right

Matt and Adam

Composite at Franconia Sculpture Park in Taylors Falls, MN

Color Tree

“Our task must be to free ourselves... by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and it's beauty.” 

- Albert Einstein

All Photos Copyright © Jaci Berkopec

Delaware Water Gap (pt. 1)

In August, my man and I adventured to the Delaware Water Gap in Pennsylvania. AirBNB got us a killer yurt on a plot of farmland near a small creek. Falling asleep looking at the stars through the skylight and waking up to the sun on our faces and the sounds of the creek. Paradise. We cooked over a fire for 4 days and our meals included chicken breast, steak, and trout. 

Outside the Yurt (Our front doorstep)

Making breakfast

The yurt

Hammocks by the firepit

Outhouse at the Yurt

Matt and Tucker

Firepit

On the Delaware River

Trout fishing

Trout Filets

The Adventure Duo

"Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair."

-Khalil Gibran

All Photos Copyright © Jaci Berkopec

Camping in the Catskills

At the end of August, I went camping in the Catskills with my friend Joe Sinnott. 3 days in the mountains, photographing, exploring, fishing and looking at stars.

Flowers stretched out in attempt to reach the sun during a photo expedition.

The roots jutting out of the ground made for excellent gazelle like hiking and leaping alongside the banks of the river.

The crew making their way down the waterfall

Joe photographing near the river

Endless Road

This trip gave me insight on my path in life. The conversations that were had sitting around the fire with Joe, looking at the stars and sipping on bourbon were some of the most interesting conversations I have had in a while. My eyes have been open to the opportunities that await me in my immediate future. I was able to rediscover my photographic spirit and just "photograph everything." I put no restraints on myself and I believe I came up with work that was focused solely on just satisfying me.

Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.

- Albert Einstein

All Photos Copyright © Jaci Berkopec