The cultural event organized at the Smithsonian Institution, also known as the National Museum of Natural History, on January 12, 2012, was one of its kind. Many artists or groups of artists were free to register and showcase their pieces of work depicting the natural phenomena. That event turned out to be the best art exhibition that had ever been organized in recent years. Numerous artists from all over the world gathered there to present their masterpieces featuring Mother Nature.
That one-week event also attracted the largest number of visitors. The greatest attention was paid to the photography section. Pieces of art from this department attracted the highest number of visitors than any other exhibited items.
I was privileged to be among the students who attended the event. It was such an honor to meet some of the elite political and business classes in the land. This was a clear presentation of the importance of that cultural event to the nation. One particular piece of work that attracted a large crowd was the fine art photography by Peter Lik (Peter Lik “The Inner Peace”). He named it “Inner Peace.” This was a very fine photograph with such an appeal that attracted everyone. People fixed their eyes on it with such an admiration that could be compared with its name because it seemed to help achieve an inner peace in the souls and minds of the viewers. This was indeed an item that also caught my attention. Everything in this photograph had a soothing meaning.
Peter Lik is an Australian landscape photographer who was born in a Czech family. He began being keen on photography from the age of eight after acquiring a Kodak box camera. He started by taking pictures of the family backyard. He had been used to do it until he managed to migrate to the United States of America due to his fascinating landscape. He is known as one of the best photographers nowadays. This has been seen in some of his earlier great works.
These include “One”, which was sold at $1 million in 2010. Moreover, in 2011, he also created “Ghost,” which asking price is $40,000 USD. He has also won many awards. The Smithsonian event led to the unveiling of “Inner Peace” (” Peter Lik”).
“Inner Piece” is a picture of a Japanese Maple tree with a very large canopy that covers a large surface area. This tree has numerous and widespread branches that cast a shadow on everything under it. The tree itself stands on a small hill with well-mowed lawn grass. This tree seems to be the only one covering a large surface area. This is due to the fact that all the other trees around it are not of the same size as it is. They are shorter and do not have such tall and widespread branches. Attention is also attracted to the unreal intense color of the leaves of this Japanese Maple tree. The unique illumination of the leaves colors them in yellow and makes flicker from insight.
This photograph is well taken and evokes soothing emotions in every viewer. The shade under this tree is great despite the sun shining brightly in the sky. Anybody under it is, therefore, assured of protection from the scorching sun. However, the picture makes the visitors feel its coolness. It also seems to be able to protect you from any adversity. It provides you with a perfect shelter from scorching sun and some peace. This is very evident when one takes a look at the grass beneath the tree which is green and lush due to the protection they get from the sun.
The sun seems to be drifting across the blue sky coloring the leaves in wonderful tints of yellow and green. These colors appear to be a personification of life and hope. The rays of sun struggle through the crown of the tree also form a star. All these make the picture be in harmony with the Mother Nature. Proving its name, the picture depicts a total inner peace. The tree is a symbol of life. There is no doubt that this piece of work is another award winning photograph.
Having such a photograph on the wall of the house would cast only pleasant feelings and emotions over a person. Finally, I would also like to mention that that exhibition helped me appreciate the beauty of the nature and a great effect that it has on us. Nature is life, and this photography clearly brings this out.
Works Cited
” Peter Lik”. BBC World News America., BBC, America. 2008. Television.
Peter Lik. “The Inner Peace“. n.d. Web.