Clara Asanza’s “Idiopathic Tropic” series builds a calm and absurd vision of urban utopia. In the culled and cultivated urban gardens, Asanza’s subjects stand alone, momentarily suspended and separated from the sources of their illnesses, failings and woes. The only physical reminder of these problems that remains in frame are the red vital organs each person clutches.

The distant look in each person’s eyes reveals a futile attempt to understand something just out of reach. Then it becomes clear that, like Asanza’s subjects, we exist here on earth as an absurd symptom, detached from our origins and detached from anyone who could answer the burning question “ But what’s the cause?” We are simply meat, organic matter, subject to the same rules as any flower in our backyard. Yes, she seems to say in her photographs, “yes, it’s ridiculous, but this is life on earth.” Perhaps for now we should take a cue from Asanza’s portraits, stand tall with our insides on our sleeves, and enjoy our strange paradise.

Posted by Andrea Diaz for PhotoSynth

(Source: claraasanza.com)