Summer Solstice Journeys: a series of photographic journeys
About this ebook
Summer Solstice Journeys chronicles photographer Lloyd Godman's eight photographic expeditions on the summer solstice, from 1988 to 2008. Six of these captivating journeys take place in Otago, New Zealand, while the remaining two unfold in Victoria, Australia.
Each expedition traces the trajectory of the sun or a shadow, from the break of dawn to twilight. Captured through the lens of a square-format 120 film camera, the frame is deliberately tilted at a 45-degree angle, creating a distinctive diamond-shaped image that captivates the viewer. Just as the sun teeters on the precipice of the summer solstice, poised to transition into shorter daylight hours and the arrival of winter, the camera frame itself delicately balances on a visual fulcrum. The resulting photographs showcase a mesmerizing interplay of intense natural chiaroscuro lighting, presenting stunning black-and-white landscapes that transcend the ordinary clichés of sunrise and sunset photography. Instead, they evoke a sense of performance art with a camera, reminiscent of Richard Long's exploratory walks. Throughout these journeys, the artist immerses himself in silent meditation, forging a deep connection with the planet's natural rhythms and the profound influence of solar forces. The ebb and flow of the tide, the elongation and contraction of shadows in the early morning and at sunset, all unfold as part of this evocative visual odyssey.
Initially, Godman invites the reader to delve into the project's conception through a series of enigmatic preliminary landscape photographs, capturing the beach near his residence at that time.
The first expedition in 1988 unfolds at Ocean View Beach looking out to Green Island, near Dunedin, New Zealand. The triangular silhouette of the island occupies the upper section of the image, mirroring the corner of the camera frame. Waves gently caress the shore, leaving behind glistening patches of wet sand that reflect the sun.
Journey Two, in 1990, centers around the rock formations of the Rock and Pillar range, where Godman tracks the sun's movement in relation to a striking rock formation, occasionally concealed by ethereal fog.
Subsequent solstice journeys take us to Akatore Creek in 1996, Moturata in 1999, Bull Creek in 2002, Wilsons Promontory in 2005, and finally St Andrews in 2008.
About the author
Lloyd Godman, a renowned artist, held the position of head of the photographic section at the Dunedin Art School in New Zealand for two decades before teaching at RMIT in Melbourne for an additional nine years. Starting from 1989, his artistic endeavors transitioned from camera-based imagery to camera-less photograms, with notable projects such as Codes of Survival and Adze to Coda. His exploration of light sensitivity led him to cultivate images within the leaves of Bromeliad plants. This innovative approach paved the way for a series of interactive gallery installations involving plants, eventually evolving into his current focus on Tillandsias and their integration within the built environment.
Today, Lloyd Godman is recognized as a leading ecological artist who seamlessly incorporates Tillandsias into architectural structures in a sustainable manner, earning him the title of an "extreme gardener" by The AGE newspaper. His artistic vision aligns with a contemporary trend that seeks to foster a deeper appreciation of the natural world within our constructed domains. Rather than considering buildings as detached entities separate from the surrounding environment, Godman emphasizes their intrinsic connection
and interaction with nature. His living, plant-based artworks serve as tangible reminders of this vital interconnectedness, conveying powerful messages of sustainability and ethical engagement. Beyond mere ideas, these artworks become
integral parts of the structures themselves, functioning as air purifiers, sources of color and serenity, and filters for both water and the human spirit. Godman's ability to forge new aesthetic, philosophical, and architectural directions through his work is a remarkable feat. Through his diminutive plants, he conveys global concepts and contributes to a growing appreciation for the presence of plants in the built environment.
This unique approach has earned him recognition and acclaim, and he holds a Masters of Fine Art degree from RMIT. Leveraging his extensive knowledge of air plants, drawn from his personal collection, and his photographic expertise, he has also authored a series of EBooks titled Tillandsimania
