Silky Milkweed -- Not in a vase

This is an environmental / social, conceptual portfolio. The milkweed, in various poses & surroundings, represents our manipulation of the environment and ourselves – from advertising, to global issues, commerce, time & art. I have photographed this plant over its 7- month cycle. I began in April 2012 with the tan empty pods (fruit) and stems that overwintered. Flowers are objectified in art because of their overt beauty. Mapplethorpe, O’Keeffe, & Van Gogh treated showy flowers this way. My 40 digital images of Silky Milkweed document this ordinary plant in our ordinary lives. Like ourselves, plants compete, build, colonize, bloom, bear fruit, are aggressive, sometimes dangerous, & occasionally require help. TR