Maury Gortemiller submitted his work and website and I was happy to see his various interesting projects, plus the record of his life as a Competitive Apneist. An enjoyable visit. I chose a few images from 'The Natural World'.

"I'm interested in the ways people experience nature, or the natural environment, through various surrogate forms. I'm drawn to all depictions of the natural world, such as art, toys, and things that were once living and are now preserved. However, I'm most interested in what I would call the more unfashionable displays of nature, depictions that are incongruous with the surrounding environment.
 
I'm fascinated with the perceived notion that some artificial element of nature, such as a landscape photograph, placed next to something utilitarian, like a fire alarm, can somehow beautify or make a more attractive display. The impulse to depict the natural environment is a basic impulse; after all, some of the first recorded works of art are depictions of persons and animals.  What strikes me is the endless repetition of contemporary depictions of nature. It's a procession of images that is pointless and hollow.
 
My objective is to fully explore the notion of the hyperreal. In particular, I wish to examine why there is a general preference for imitations of the natural world, and how as a culture many of us derive satisfaction from simulations of the perceived 'real'. I hope to demonstrate the absurdity of these simulations, and the manner in which they ease our anxiety over the loss of a meaningful connection to nature."