Endemic/Extinction uses the process of lumen printing as a metaphor for the fragility and perilousness of Hawai‘i’s extinction rate. The installation depicts twenty endemic species of Hawaiian plants in a way that is both familiar and yet unnatural. The appeal of lumen printing lies in its ability to capture nature’s ephemeral beauty – its vulnerability, form, color, and substance. The photographic paper used for lumen prints remains sensitive to light even after the exposure process. Without proper fixing, the image will continue to react to light over time, causing the colors and details to fade or shift as it is exposed to ambient light. The original (unfixed prints) hang next to a record of the original; the record retains its quality throughout the exhibition while the originals away. This serves as a poignant reminder that we, the audience, are both the destroyer and the protector of the very things we hold dear, those things that make Hawai‘i so special and unique. As we watch the endemic species disappear before our eyes, leaving only a record of what was, we are called to reflect on our own impact and responsibility.

About the Process

One of photography’s earliest experiments in the 19th century, a lumen print, known as a type of camera-­less photography, is a solar photogram. The process involves setting objects onto silver gelatin photographic paper and exposing them to the sun. As light strikes the paper, the silver halides break down, creating colors that vary based on light intensity, humidity, and temperature. Plant material often contains moisture and other natural chemicals (like acids or chlorophyll) that can interact with the paper. This can cause additional color variations, enhancing the unpredictable and organic appearance of the image. Without proper fixing, the image will continue to react to light over time, causing the colors and details to fade or shift as it is exposed to ambient light.