This series showcases those who have expanded their artistic palate, moving from still to motion, or motion to still.

In an effort to be closer to the earth, Oliver Ogden relocated from Brooklyn, New York to Saxapahaw, North Carolina. January is the first in this series of meditative short films that explore man’s relationship to the land. He says, “Our environments are often loud and hurried and frantically paced. With these vignettes I aim to celebrate simple observation, patient listening and quiet reflection.” January serves as an elegant and artistic visual diary of one man’s time spent in nature. Though there is no real narrative, the film moves from pre-dawn to evening and offers glimpses of daily activities. The camera follows the man as he crosses a river, shovels the earth, and detangles his shirt from a stray branch, interspersed with static shots of the surrounding area. These pauses in the action allow the viewer to experience the environment as the subject would; pausing to take in a view or examine a plant. Ogden has chosen to forego a traditional soundtrack, relying instead on the natural sounds of rustling leaves and flowing water. Over the course of the day, nothing of note has happened, and yet we feel satisfied at the end of the film as the sun goes down and the cooking fire burns out that it has been a day well spent.

View more of Ogden’s work on his website.

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