stefania bonatelli

This project, currently in progress, is a visual meditation on my own journey of reconnection with nature. Each image is a reflection on the wisdom and poetry found in the wild, in trees, and in ancient traditions—elements I consider essential for understanding our relationship with the natural world.

Nemophila originating from ancient Greek and meaning "lover of forests" or "one who loves the woods". Botanically, Nemophila refers to an annual herbaceous plant characterized by its colorful and delicate flowers, often found in meadows and forests.

The duality of human nature and nature itself is a central theme in Nemophila. Through my photographs, I explore how beauty and terror coexist in the natural world, and how this duality mirrors our own existence. This project also addresses the importance of environmental awareness and respect for our surroundings, emphasizing the interdependence between humans and nature. In Nemophila, nature is not merely a backdrop but an active participant in the dialogue about existence and spirituality.

I slither along the wrinkled bark of time,
Submerged in the mud, I feed on plankton,
I bite the very roots that entwine me,
I inhale the earth dissolved in my silt.

I am the oceanic descendant of my aquatic ancestors,
Ancient as the oldest supernova.
With claws and piercing spines and dragonfly wings,
I am a spore upon my porous skin.

I feel a vital pulse in the hum of bees,
My cells expire and then renew,
They draw energy from moss, from mycelium,
Sap flowing through my bloodstream.

Ancient primordial nights reside within me,
They penetrate, ignite me, then dissolve.
I emerge, a nymph from the primordial broth,
Salted dust, sensual nectars.