What is Nature? What does Nature mean to me?

My photographic work has one way or another dealt with animals in human spaces. In the past two years, more specifically, I photographed at zoos and museums. Although an interest for animals brought me to these two institutions, I have found through the course of researching about animals that it is impossible not to talk about Nature too. You cannot separate one from another.

Defining “animal” is a lot easier. I think of an animal as anything that has life, but it is not a plant. The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “a living organism which feeds on organic matter, typically having specialized sense organs and nervous system and able to respond rapidly to stimuli.” A plant is define as “a living organism of the kind exemplified by trees, shrubs, herbs, grasses, ferns, and mosses, typically growing in a permanent site, absorbing water and inorganic substances through its roots, and synthesizing nutrients in its leaves by photosynthesis using the green pigment chlorophyll.” Animals and plants are in different categories. We do not stop to think of the pain of plants when picking a flower, but we do think animal pain. Relating to animals is also easier because we react to their emotions. Any one who has ever had a dog or a cat could never say that animals do not feel pain, happiness, joy, and sadness or those they are curious beings too.

Defining nature is difficult. It is mostly because we think of nature as anything that has nothing to do with humans. But could we really separate ourselves from nature? Or aren’t we part of it? And why is location important in the definition of it? I am writing in my studio that is surrounded by drywalls without a window. There are no living organisms in my space or at least none that the naked eye could see. I believe by definition this is not nature. Although, the materials that make up the books, table, tape, paper and so on around me are made of natural resources. The nature that is around me is just not raw; it is processed nature. Does anyone in the world would be able to walk from point A to point B without ever seeing a glimpse of nature? That is a plant, an ant or a mosquito? I have my doubts.

So we think of Nature with a capital N as this other place far from industrial or urban spaces. People travel to Alaska, Costa Rica, the American West to experience “nature.” The wanting to travel or to be with nature is one that I am curious about. Americans have done a great job at organizing campsites for people to be in nature while vacationing. Basic necessities such as running water and electricity are provided for fees at the sites. I honestly understand the electric plugs. I have been without electricity before, and it is not fun. We often take for granted being able to have ice for a cold drink during a hot day.

My photographing at zoos and natural history museums has been a way for me to understand nature and the way Americans relate to it. I am part of the American culture and I am also an outsider. I did not grow up with the modern zoo, but I did grow up in countries people visit for nature tourism. And, I too thought of Costa Rica as being more of a natural landscape more so than any other place I lived. If I define nature as place that humans have little to do with… then I am not sure if I have ever visited that place. If I ever go to this place, then my human body is present, and the place could no longer be nature. I rather say that I am always in nature. However, I also cannot say that nature is everything. My studio is not nature… but a backyard could be?

If there is anything that I have come to understand, is that the human/animal or human/nature relation is bigger than me, and I am not sure if I can truly understand it, as it is not a rational relation. Everything about it is irrational.


Digital drawing by Diana M Sanchez.