Dylan Brunick: A Sister's View
Artist Statement:
A rare geological oddity of nine once active volcanoes stretch in a linear 40 mile range shaping the landscape and lifestyle of San Luis Obispo. In this series A Sisters View, I used photographs to capture the visual elements of these peaks within their landscapes and how people have adapted around them. These peaks tell a story about the relationship between nature and humanity and how they should preserve one another. As the human population has expanded these mountains have new meanings that were once non existent. The history of life development in this area revolves around this linear formation of nine solidified magma filled chambers. They are a part of a bigger story that has shaped a landscape and now created a community. Preservation of these peaks needs to be protected as their historic and geological values are an important part of the Earth's history.
“Linear Alignment”
6x7 medium format film scan
2020
This image showing the backside of Bishop Peak, Chumash Peak, Cerro Romauldo and Hollister Peak is a close representation of what these peaks looked like before urbanization and represents the story of them before humanity.
“The First Peak”
6x7 medium format film scan
2020
This image is of Islay Hill which is the first peak in the stretch of mountains. This simple
mound represents the lifestyle that it has created around it.
“Cerro San Luis”
Dylan Brunick
6x7 Medium Format film scan
2020
This image shows Cerro San Luis from Bishop Peak, its one of the most frequently hiked and utilized peaks in the community due to its close proximity to the center of town.
“Bishop Peak and Cerro San Luis over San Luis Obispo”
6x7 Medium Format film scan
2020
These peaks rise above the main downtown area and have shaped the structure of the area beneath it. They are reminders of what has stayed the same over the process of urbanization.
“Civilization below Bishop Peak”
6x7 Medium Format film scan
2020
This image represents adaptation of life to its surrounding environment as a community below the tallest of the nine sisters. Rock from this peak was used to create structures below and shows the ties between nature and humanity.
“Building blocks atop of Bishop Peak”
6x7 Medium Format film scan
2020
Close up of the top of Bishop Peak and the granite that now many live within San Luis Obispo.
“Granite Faces”
6x7 Medium Format film camera
2020
Overview of large rock formations looking down on the outskirts of town shows how small we are in the grand scheme of things.
“Cerro Romauldo behind San Luis Obispo County Jail”
6x7 Medium Format film scan
2020
This peak just outside of town is untouched by the public. It has no hiking trails and is well preserved by the community.
“Hollister Peak from Highway 1”
6x7 Medium Format film scan
Hollister Peak has one of the most staggering rock faces out of all of the nine sisters. It
holds its own historic value as an individual peak.
“Canet Family Cemetery below Hollister Peak”
6x7 Medium Format film scan
2020
A family cemetery below Hollister Peak. It represents generations of life attached to this one peak.
“Hollister Peak seen from Cerro Cabrillo”
6x7 Medium Format film scan
2020
This image represents the close proximity of each peak to one another. This stretch of land is well preserved and is not open for public access.
“Black Hill through the estuary”
6x7 Medium Format film scan
2020
Black hills pine tree covered form was brought by man showing how without a structure we can still change the meaning of a once untouched area.
“Rock formations of Cerro Cabrillo”
6x7 Medium Format film scan
2020
Close up of Cerro Cabrillo and the unique rock formations which represent the uniqueness of each peak individually. This formation is known as “Tiki Rock” because it resembles a Polynesian Tiki carving.
“Morro Rock behind Morro Bay High School”
6x7 Medium Format film scan
2020
Morro Rock is the last volcanic peak in the string of the nine sisters. It's also one of the most recognized and well preserved, as the other peaks should be as well.
“Morro Rock, Black Hill and Cerro Cabrillo from above”
6x7 Medium Format film scan
2020
This image captures part of the rare linear alignment of these nine sisters. This alignment continues 40 miles inland to Islay Hill.