Photographer Mona Miri, doesn’t have to travel far to capture the landscapes that are the inspiration for her work.  The young Boston-based environmental photographer trains her lens on urban environments and in the process shines a light on the often unnoticed struggle between the built environment and nature, bringing attention to some of the costs of urban development. 

Uprooted from her native Iran at an early age, then transplanted to Germany, and finally settling in Boston, struggle and change were key themes in her first solo exhibit entitled “Modified Landscapes”.  The series documented the changing face of the Bay View, Mission Bay area of San Francisco, a former industrial brownfield site under re-development.

We had the opportunity to talk with the up and coming photographer about her work and her thoughts on sustainability.

Greenopia:  What made you decide to become a photographer? 

Mona:  I knew that I could do something special with a camera and visually connect and share my views and perspective on a subject matter, and in particular the landscape that I saw in front of me. The first time I picked up my father's camera I knew that it started a long and wonderful love relationship. The idea and thought that I can present my perspective, an intimate and independent point of view, is the most beautiful and rewarding aspect of photography. The art and creativity that follows, and being able to share it with the viewer, is an added bonus that makes it even more special than anything I can imagine.   

Greenopia:  Why do you choose urban landscapes and imagery as the focus of your work? 

Mona:  Urban, industrial, and environmental landscapes have been my focus because I feel a certain immediacy in photographing my environment and the particular areas. I was always drawn to urban, suburban and industrial areas because I grew up in the city and surrounding areas. I also felt a sense of absence and disconnection with the environment around me which consequently made me document it. The philosophical and intellectual idea behind it speaks to how the environment defines us and how the coexistence between a man-made environment and a natural environment play a defining contrast. The sense of absence and disconnection reflects the minimal existence of natural escapes within cities and urban areas. In progression, research, and development in my work, I began to recognize and understand the elements of our surrounding environment and the aspects it consists of.   

 Greenopia:  You left your homeland of Iran as a child and grew up on foreign land.  How is this upheaval and change of environment reflected in your work?

Mona:  I was very young when I left Iran, and lived in Germany for 5 years after that.  I grew up and spent the past 20 years of my life in Brookline Massachusetts. My work reflects the change in environment which I have experienced and the different cultures and traditions I have seen. The intensity and the contrast in my work, with the absence of people, reflects the idea of a greater understanding of the environment around us, and consequently how it defines us…..the effects it can have and how we can change it.

Greenopia:  What messages about sustainability are you trying to communicate with your work?

Mona:  Through my work I am trying to imply that implementing sustainability practices in our environment (i.e., in cities, urban, industrial areas, as well as in our built in environment) would dramatically improve our lives as a whole. I am also trying to send the message of sustainability through my own actions by applying sustainability practices in my photography work, process, production, and lifestyle. When we try to be dedicated to one aspect of being environmentally friendly we have to reflect on other ways we can improve our lives. When we follow this pattern, eventually we will realize that our lives as a whole would improve in every element and every aspect. Throughout my experience and development throughout my own life I have learned that with small steps you can get to where you eventually would like to be. It takes dedication, passion, and constant reinvention.   

Greenopia:  What was significant about the location you chose in your "Modified Landscapes" series? 

Mona:  The significance about the Bay View, Mission Bay area is that there has been evidence of environmental concerns within this particular area.  There is currently redevelopment in motion for new buildings and establishments in construction.  It is a site that stretches for a few miles and leads to industrial areas, ship docks, basins and construction companies which produce materials, and import and export goods. The significance behind documenting this location is to think about our production and development of our surrounding environment and the issues and concerns that need attention, and what we can do to prevent future negative consequences.   

Greenopia:  Your work has a very surreal, otherworldly quality.  What would you say are the defining themes that run through your work?  

Mona:  The themes and the meaning behind the style of my work are defined by attempting to visually imply the ideas in the content of my work.  Through surrealism and abstraction, I am trying to show how we can visually see the idea of a landscape in an alternate perspective.  Incorporating both fine art technique as well as a commercial style, I am trying to present the old and the new, or combining traditional aspects with digital techniques in order to encompass and/or keep alive the traditions in today's demanding industry.   
 

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