This investigation is inspired by my three years of work with Magic, an environmental organization in Palo Alto. In the time that I spent with Magic, I grew close to the program’s team, a familial yet diverse community that lived and worked together. I titled this series “Fading Magic” because the issues that I target with this investigation are those that I noticed through Magic. I came in direct contact with raw waste, ugly outlooks, and a blatant disregard for the environment. At the same time, I saw these things negatively affect the emotions and goals of the hardworking, sincere individuals around me.

Photography presents life and the environment as they are. I photographed items and settings that are central to our lives to create analogies for real-life happenings in our climate. Presented as both individual items and series, these works aim to show the unseen and the unrecognized effects of our own actions, lifestyles, and routines. As the works progress, the viewer meets consequences of the climate crisis that are increasingly unknown to the ordinary individual.

These works’ resemblance to core parts of our lives should resonate with us. By using personal interpretations and individual feelings, rather than an explicit message, I encourage my viewers to think about where they stand in regard to willingness to change and desire to improve.