Rachel Cassandra

In what ways does nature inspire or inform your work?

Nature is the ultimate designer. For this piece, I was awed with the complexity of the natural systems I was examining, and awed with the metapatterns of the ecological world. I tripped out for days on what it means that the universe is full of fractals—patterns that repeat at different scales. I examined the (accidental?) beauty all around us.

What does it mean to you to be part of a thriving ecosystem?

In a thriving ecosystem, each organism has its niche—the place that is its cozy and perfect fit. I strive towards this, that even when our systems are fighting damage and collapse, as Max Ehrmann says, “You are a child of the universe,/ no less than the trees and the stars;/ you have a right to be here.”