23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Artistic
"Natural Form" Series

In Natural Form, I cut figures from old photographs — physically removing them from their original contexts — and place them into contemporary natural landscapes. Once deeply connected to nature, these people now appear as if nature is merely a backdrop to their presence. This series reflects on a slow yet profound transformation. Through cutting, relocating, and re-seeing, I attempt to witness the gap between past and present — a quiet disconnection that has reshaped our relationship with the natural world.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 07.2023
Date Uploaded: 11.2025
Photo Location: Mazandaran, Iran
Copyright: © Sahar Mokhtari