In this project, I explored the surprising parallels between the experimental films of Maya Deren and the transformative nature of fermented foods. Both embody a tension between life and decay, movement and stillness, beauty and discomfort.

Maya Deren’s works are experimental, symbolic, and introspective, diving deep into themes of dreams, ritual, identity, and transformation. Her films often defy linear narrative, instead creating surreal experiences that feel both dark and transcendent. Her monochromatic visuals convey intensity and mystery, capturing a sense of duality between the real and the imagined self.

In a similar way, fermented foods embody an organic contradiction. They are, in one sense, decomposed or “dead,” yet teeming with microbial life that sustains and transforms. This interplay between decay and vitality echoed the spirit of Deren’s work and became the foundation of my visual exploration.

By combining monochrome imagery with organic textures, flowers, fresh produce, and black ink—I created a series of experimental scans that capture a fleeting balance between life and stillness. The scanner became a tool to freeze moments that feel both alive and suspended, visualizing the same dynamic energy that defines both Deren’s films and the process of fermentation.