An "instant out of time" captured by Mark Thaler, a senior staff photographer who has been with UAHS BioCommunications for 24 years, is the winner of the 2013 Kenneth J. Ryan Visual Arts Award, presented for the best visual arts submission to Harmony, the annual visual arts and literary journal published by the Program in Medical Humanities at the UA College of Medicine. The announcement was made at the launch of the 2013 issue on Oct. 3.
"Mark's photo embodies exactly what medical humanities teaches: 'deep space reflection.' A space where the practitioner can remove him or herself to return to a place of humanity," says Dr. Ron Grant, director of the Program in Medical Humanities. Harmony features essays, short stories, poetry, visual art and photography, many by UAHS students, faculty, staff and patients. This year, entries were received from all over the world.
Thaler's winning photograph, titled "Deep Space Reflections," was one of about 80 photos submitted for consideration for publication in Harmony. Only about half were chosen.
The image is a perfect illustration of an instant held still: the black and white photo captures cottonwood trees in autumn with every detail precisely mirrored in a motionless San Pedro River, a rare occurrence for the stream that flows northward from Mexico through southern Arizona more than 100 miles before joining the Gila River. Thaler chanced upon the scene during one of his many hikes through the San Pedro Valley area. "I've been going there for years, and it changes every year. I never caught a composition like this one before," he says. "I was in the right place at the right time."
The title Thaler chose for the photo is explained in the text that accompanies it in Harmony magazine. Thaler "believes that a strong ethic in ecology preservation and conservation enhances the 'transpersonal journeys' behind creative photography. His creative passions explore and cultivate deeper perceptions: authenticities that illuminate intrinsic natures and kinship, which often escape casual observation. In his photography the 'dance of light' often reveals symmetries in the natural world bringing insight and exposing rhythms of grace, harmony and endurance."