Visual exercises. A Series of Diptychs

“i look for the unity between the human body and nature”

Alicja Brodowicz is a photographer born in Poland. In her series Visual exercises she captures a series of dyptychs which show the imilaritys between nature and the human form.

Bodowicz’s photography is characterized by its focus on color, form, and texture. She is particularly interested in exploring the interplay between light and shadow, and many of her images feature strong contrasts and bold, graphic compositions. Her work often straddles the boundary between abstraction and representation, challenging the viewer to question their assumptions about what they are seeing.

 Human body and nature. Microcosm and macrocosm. The human form: irregular, wrinkled, saggy. Imperfect. Nature: wild, mysterious; sometimes incomprehensible, but always extraordinary. Abnormalities and perfection.

The diptychs show non-obvious analogies between the human body and nature. By comparing that which is tainted, burdened with imperfections, old, damaged by time, wounded, with elements of nature, which in the common perception are devoid of defects and which we do not judge through the prism of age and aesthetic imperfections, I try to “disenchant” the way we perceive the human body and show its beauty in ugliness, old age, sagging skin, wrinkles and scars. 

Humans and nature share many similarities, as humans are a part of the natural world and have evolved over millions of years in response to the same environmental pressures that have shaped the natural world around us. Some of the key similarities between humans and nature include:

1. Dependence on resources: Like all living organisms, humans are dependent on the resources provided by the natural world, such as clean air and water, food, and shelter.
2. Need for balance: Just as ecosystems rely on a delicate balance of different species and environmental factors to thrive, humans also require balance in their lives, including a balance of work, rest, and leisure time.
3. Resilience: Both humans and nature have shown remarkable resilience in the face of challenges, such as natural disasters, disease outbreaks, and other disruptions to the environment.
4. Cycles of life and death: The natural world is characterized by cycles of life and death, with organisms being born, growing, reproducing, and eventually dying. Similarly, humans also experience these same cycles, from birth to death and everything in between.
5. Adaptability: Just as plants and animals must adapt to changing environmental conditions, humans also have the ability to adapt to changing circumstances, whether it be changes in the natural world or changes in society and culture.

Many ancient cultures believed in the healing power of nature itself. For example, the ancient Greeks believed in the concept of “nature cure,” which involved using natural remedies like herbs, plants, and mineral springs to heal the body. Native American cultures also have a rich tradition of using natural remedies and healing practices based on the plants, animals, and other elements of the natural world. Ancient beliefs about the human body and nature were often deeply interconnected, with the health of the body seen as intimately tied to the health of the natural world. Many of these beliefs and practices continue to influence modern approaches to health and wellness today.

Overall, the similarities between humans and nature highlight our interconnectedness with the natural world and the importance of living in harmony with the environment.

I believe Brodowicz work is so important because it creates a huge sense of unity between humans and nature. It emphasises that we need to keep the planet safe to keep ourselves safe and that as humans we thrive from the planet. Spending time in nature is linked to both cognitive benefits and improvements in mood, mental health and emotional well-being. Feeling connected to nature can produce similar benefits to well-being, regardless of how much time one spends outdoors.