The Textures and Patterns of Arizona

Often when I’m watching a sci-fi flick I’ll clock their shooting location and think, “That’s clearly somewhere in the American southwest.” Extra-terrestrial landscapes and the western regions of our country had become so ubiquitous in cinema that even those of us who had never been out west could instantly identify them. But after having visited Arizona for the first time a few years ago, I now understand film-makers’ impulse to set their off-world stories there.

If you grew up surrounded by the color green everywhere you go, Arizona instantly seems alien to you. You don’t really notice just how much green you’re exposed to on a daily basis in the northeast until you’re confronted with its total absence. In the southwest, earth tones reign supreme from the land to the architecture. The grass and foliage that go unnoticed back home are in short supply. It makes you appreciate both types of landscapes, each beautiful in their own way.

In addition to the shifts in color as you make your west, you also notice the differences in textures. There’s a marked increase in hard edges and sharp characteristics. I would imagine these features are evolutionary traits designed to safeguard against the harsh outdoor environments and protect against anything looking to pilfer any hard-earned and precious liquids.

 During my first visit to Arizona, I was instantly struck by this other-worldly nature of the natural and man-made environments. Both designed to respond to shifting extremes in temperatures and to maximize the use of the resources available, they presented a dramatic visual change of pace from what I was used to. I tried to capture as many textures and patterns as I could, but in my short time there I’m sure I left a lot on the table. I look forward to going back at some point and giving it another go.

The Textures and Patterns of Arizona
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