Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

21st Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Every Moment Elk

In this series, Zilberberg creates animal montages as an expression of self-therapy, drawing attention to mindfulness and nature conservation. As an urbanite, functioning day-to-day in a fast-paced, built environment can be emotionally unsettling. The artist regrounds herself in the sense of calm issued by these animals. These creatures reinstate a presence, a tranquility, and a grander perspective. Their minimal aesthetic is metaphorical of striving for simplicity. Zilberberg’s works invite a meditative state, encouraging the viewer to stay still and find happiness in the moment. The works are an amalgam of many photographs from around the world, put together by the artist in post-production. The digital displacement of the animals from their surroundings is representative of their displacement in real life from the wild due to human interference. The animals have a “home” within each image, which, in many cases, no longer exists in the wild. The images are a tribute, a testament to the beauty of nature, and a ground on which to reflect on the interaction between humans and the natural world.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 11.2021
Date Uploaded: 11.2023
Photo Location: Quebec, Canada
Camera: GFX100S
Copyright: © Alice Zilberberg