This image from the Zen City series presents a composition that resembles a circuit board, yet upon closer inspection, reveals a meticulous arrangement of botanical elements. Created using my original technique, Pixel Montage, the image is constructed from hundreds of small photographs taken in Tokyo’s botanical gardens. The dense, layered greenery mimics the complexity of electronic systems, while the layout and rhythm reflect the physical logic of machine boards.
The silver, disc-like components echo capacitors and connectors typically seen in electronics, but are actually composed of plant textures that evoke dew, reflection, and life.
The underlying concept is to challenge the viewer’s perception: what initially appears mechanical gradually reveals itself to be organic. This dual reading invites contemplation on the interconnectedness of all systems—natural and technological. The visual density suggests both the energy of a growing ecosystem and the flow of data within a machine. Rooted in Zen thought, the image encourages quiet reflection in the midst of complexity, and asks us to look more deeply into what lies beneath surface appearances.
