BREMNER BENEDICT

Since the beginning of human existence, springs have been key to our survival. Yet today they are all but fogotten. Despite being very small they host some of the richest diversity of plant and animal life on the planet profoundly influencing their vicinity. Called “windows into the earth” springs serve as a barometer of their aquifer’s quality and durability. 85% of springs have been lost since 1900 due to overuse and drought making them one of the world’s most endangered ecosystems.

Being an artist who is passionate about the water crisis in the West and drawn to their story whose value is so misunderstood, I’ve photographed springs of all types and conditions in the 5 major deserts of the West. Using a blend of art and science to emphasize springs’ precarious relationship to their surroundings I chose a muted color palette akin to Western landscape painter, Maynard Dixon to emphasize their fragility and give them a tangible, evocative reality. 

Springs have survived human and natural onslaughts but now they are vulnerable.  If these biologically diverse, culturally important, and historically rich ecosystems are lost, our ability to live in arid lands will be impacted as well. Yet there is still hope. Where the aquifer hasn’t been too damaged we can restore some springs for both human and natural purposes. By spotlighting those few remaining before they are gone, I want this work to reflect their value and predicament while encouraging a call to action for their protection.