Few artists have the dedication Mary Mattingly has used to to create a photo series spanning decades with no foreseeable end. That’s exactly what she did with ‘First Light/Last Light,' which is a collection of photographs featuring the first light and last light of the Winter Solstice as seen from her desert dwelling in the American Northwest. She overlaps the resulting images to produce surreal visuals which look like cosmic crosshairs. The project began in 2001, making the past year its 10-year anniversary.
Mary Mattingly explains that First Light/Last Light was her, "attempt to capture [her] experience with sublimity." Looking at these images, viewers can vicariously feel the overwhelming sensations Mattingly must have felt while taking each photo. The beautiful vast scenery no doubt induced quite the euphoric sensation.
Winter Solstice Photo Series
Mary Mattingly Captures the First and Last Lights of the Shortest Day
Trend Themes
1. Sublime Landscape Photography - There is an opportunity for artists and professionals in the photography industry to explore and promote the beauty of natural landscapes through surreal visuals like Mary Mattingly's 'First Light/Last Light.'
2. Decades-long Art Projects - There is potential for artists and creatives across various industries to create decade-long projects that track changes and developments over time, offering unique and interesting perspectives and insights.
3. Celebrating Natural Occurrences - There is an opportunity for professionals across various industries to celebrate and promote natural phenomena like the winter solstice through creative and meaningful projects, offering unique experiences and insights to consumers.
Industry Implications
1. Photography - Photographers can experiment with surreal visuals and natural landscapes to create unique and inspiring images that capture the beauty of nature and inspire people to explore it further.
2. Art - Artists across all mediums can take inspiration from Mary Mattingly's dedication and create thought-provoking projects that track changes over time and offer new perspectives.
3. Tourism - There is potential for the tourism industry to create experiences that celebrate natural phenomena like the winter solstice, offering unique and meaningful experiences that connect people with nature and the world around them.