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TIDE & SOL
landscapes of sea and sun
presented by the smartest animal
an audiovisual presentation
opening weekend reception: Aug 2, 2025
as part of the post-event campaign, “tide & sol” is recapped in three key ways:
narration version (above video)
visualizer video with ambient music (below video)
blog post (continue scrolling)
be sure to RSVP for our next event - found at the end of this article!
[1/5]: from the artist’s pov | writer: aj val | date: aug ‘25
The pressure was on.
I was approaching the wall with one of my frames, and had the intent of placing it on the newly-placed hooks effortlessly.
It was anything but effortless!
I had to laugh it off, though. Especially after attempt six.
It had been a long road to get to this point, and I was indifferent about the iPhone recording taking place just a few feet behind me. We finally made it to the weekend of solo gallery exhibit number one, and I was just happy to be in the moment.
Filming these failed attempts at hanging my frames for “the shot” was Nathaniel, another artist. Almost immediately after attempt one failed I had to hear from him, and the three others in the room: Danny, Mel, and Tank. Our laughter carried over the AC unit’s consistent hum.
Instead of stressing about the video, I had to recognize and appreciate the reality of a community coming together to support. I got my homies helping me put together my first solo photo gallery exhibit! These moments are everything to me.
We were one day away from the event, and everyone was on board to get all ten pieces configured on the brand new white walls of Sole Cafe, Danny’s new cafe in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.
It was almost dinnertime. As the day wrapped up, I obsessively thought about how the next 24 hours were going to go. The very next morning I had an obligation in the opposite direction of the event, naturally. It’s almost as if the degree of difficulty for this project was increased as the event countdown got lower.
No matter. Got to see it through.
As collaborative as this project is, my initiative comes from within. Inside.
The boldness it takes has to outweigh the fear of perception.
To create at both a high, authentic, and unique level takes a lot of mental fortitude. There is not a lot of space to do so, and I say that because there are a lot of ways to cheapen your output. Which, to me, takes the authenticity out of it.
Yet to be consistent in this output, it takes a lot of energy. When you have to look within and you are low or empty, this is when problems begin.
Adaptation is important. To recognize and mold to changing circumstances.
About ten days before hanging up the “tide & sol” prints, I was enduring an intense season.
Manifesting your dreams versus experiencing them are two experiences that deserve intention.
[2/5]: the backstory behind “tide & sol”
TIDE & SOL.
Water and Sun.
Ocean and Light.
Landscapes of sea and sun.
On August 2, 2025, the gallery curation entitled “TIDE & SOL: landscapes of sea and sun” debuted in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.
Curated by the smartest animal as the first of its kind, this artistic presentation was a multidisciplinary showcase where photography, sound, and storytelling merged into one tide of creativity.
This gallery curation was born from long walks along the water at sunrise, where shifting light, rolling sound, and natural movement became standard sights.
Over the years, immersing myself in nature has become a integral part of my personal routine: art imitating life, life imitating art.
Each of the ten images invite you into a sensory world—where landscape photography becomes both memory and mood.
The work blends more than visuals—it’s a translation of music and energy into still photography. It presents a visual echo of both the live performance that launched it, and the video visualizer cast via projector, showing tides and sol.
The synergy of both sun and sea are really what strike me, in pieces like “Augmented Memory” as an example, where the sun is seen nowhere but felt everywhere, shining its golden hour beams across the waters that crash on the shores of Domino Park.
Time of day truly impacts how we see these seemingly (extra)ordinary moments. In the three-part series of “Blue Ocean Crush,” the morning sky blue dominates the viewfinder, as both ocean water and sandy beach underline its bold presence.
When I reflect on the sentimental impact of these photos, I am reminded of the intentional solitude that surrounded these frames of time.
This curation that reflects personal routine is as bold as it is delicate. I can’t say that every walk in nature is the happiest moment of my life as I frolick through all of what God has created on this earth. No, it is quite literally the opposite in some of these moments.
Sometimes, most times, being in nature has no further objective than just being present.
This means no filming. No music. No headphones. No screens.
Nothing to stimulate the mind, because all that you could ever hope for surrounds you.
You’re in nature. Can’t really say I’d be anywhere else.
That’s the sentiment and intentionality I take in moments that have created “tide & sol.”
[3/5]: the opening reception of “tide & sol”
At the time that we planned to go forward with the Aug 2 date for “tide & sol,” I had an exciting opportunity in front of me.
Not only was I able to share my prints in a solo gallery context for the first time, I was intent on carrying out the marketing and promotion a specific way. This was truly an awareness campaign on a lot of levels, and I wanted to match the promotional energy with a live experience that felt unique, welcoming, and intentional.
On the surface, if you were to read the flier details on Instagram, “tide & sol” presents as a photo gallery exhibit.
However, I added more layers to this experience, hence an “audiovisual presentation.”
**
Firstly, I created a video loop to be cast on one wall via projector.
This loop consisted of b-roll videos I took during nature photo excursions. If you haven’t watched the recap video yet (scroll to top), there is that same video layered in the background of the edit.
Next, I wanted to pick a specific opening soundtrack to the opening reception: a compilation of original unreleased compositions by the smartest animal.
The ten photo prints, which we’ll talk about in-depth later, were up and on full display.
As you walk into the space, you can quickly scan the room, seeing and hearing all of these elements. All except one, which deserves its own set of details, and wasn’t originally advertised in the promotion of the 8/2 event.
**
Live music: it happened in two segments that evening, with two musicians.
Between N8 the bassist, who was also running drum loops through the speaker, and myself on the keys, we proceeded to rock out and create a smooth ambiance.
For me, the first set felt like wading in the shore, whereas the second set was a deeper sonic dive.
I remember starting the first set thinking to myself, “How will this be received?” I had never performed in this neighborhood, and it had been years since I did a sidewalk jam.
As the night went on, and we prepared to do a second set, I thought a lot less and played a lot more. This range of emotions is honestly very normal, and I share this to emphasize how human these processes end up being.
The second set started with a J Dilla piano riff, which honestly set the tone, and set it off.
From that point onward, both N8 and I were able to call out chord changes, dynamics, and improvise to the point where I strongly felt the connection with passers-by who had their curiosity grow by the chord.
[4/5]: the photo print curation of “tide & sol”
Ten pieces were up on display for the opening reception of “tide & sol”:
Blue Ocean Crush: [ I ] - [ II ] - [ III ]. (Shot on 35mm.) Bold, beautiful sky blue. A three-part series from the same day.
Shoreside Seafoam. (Shot on iPhone.) Days where I spent even more time admiring the details of the shoreline - this time, the foam. It’s really the first time I captured this specific type of shot. I have a few more, so it definitely won’t be the last.
Sol: Red Hook, High Line, Playa, Uno. (Shot on iPhone & 35mm.) Sol Uno is a direct reference to the epic ambient track I’ve written - embedded below. The only 35mm piece out of these four is Sol High Line. It happens to be my personal favorite, due to the strong contrast of sun and shadow. Intense, emotional, the composition - components of a timeless moment and masterpiece… on a day where the shot almost never happened!
Augmented Memory. (Shot on iPhone.) A poem accompanying this piece reads as follows:
in the comfort of my mind, solace do i find.
outside of these walls that are ten feet tall,
where am i in relation to my dreams?
things ain’t as golden as they seem…
Styling Your Space with Landscape Prints
Let a single piece stand alone. Choose a print from either “TIDE” or “SOL”—allowing it to be the focal point of a room. Above a sofa, desk, or entryway, one of these pieces, framed or canvas print, can shift the energy of the space, evoking the same serenity and awe you’d feel standing at the shoreline. If you start to feel that you’re very much at the ocean, with me taking the photo, then the art becomes that much more immersive, authentic, and real.
Curate a gallery wall. For collectors or those who love a layered aesthetic, pairing multiple landscape photography prints can create a rhythm that mirrors the natural ebb and flow of the ocean. Mixing smaller framed prints with one or two larger canvases allows you to build a gallery wall that feels both intentional and dynamic—perfect for hallways, studios, or gathering spaces. I love seeing the contrast of a pair of 11”x14” framed pieces hung up with a singular, more prominent 30”x40”.
Pair with intentional lighting. Lighting brings artwork to life, especially with a landscape collection totally dependent on the presence and absence of natural light. Positioning warm-toned lamps, natural sunlight, or soft ambient fixtures near your landscape prints enhances the texture of the canvas surface, and of the piece itself.
Set tone and atmosphere. Unlike mass-produced décor, original landscape prints act as mood-setters. A tranquil dawn piece, such as Sol Playa, can introduce stillness to a bedroom, while a vibrant, fiery sunset (Sol High Line). can energize a dining or living space. Each of these pieces carries not just color and form, but also story and emotion, making it more than decoration—it becomes a living part of your environment.
Why Collect Original Landscape Photography?
Art has the power to change how we feel in our own homes. Investing in original prints means:
You’re bringing in mood-setting works that shift with light and time of day. A sunrise over the Atlantic or a tide pulling back at dusk feels different in the morning than it does at night. Framed and canvas landscape photography prints carry that same natural rhythm into your home. As sunlight or lamplight hits the surface, the tones and shadows evolve—making your artwork feel alive and responsive to your space.
You’re adding conversation pieces that carry stories from their creation. Unlike mass-produced wall décor, each landscape printcomes from a place of performance, movement, and sound. These images were born alongside live music and immersive storytelling at the August 2 opening reception event. Owning a print means you’re not just hanging a seascape—you’re carrying the narrative of that moment into your home, giving guests a glimpse of the creative energy behind it. This is how the legacy of creative moments like “tide & sol” are sustained; visual reminders, oral history, timeless moments.
You’re directly supporting an independent artist with a multidisciplinary vision rooted in sound, movement, and visual narrative. Every purchase directly fuels the work of the smartest animal, an independent artist collective whose process blends photography, music, and visual narrative. By collecting any of these pieces, you’re choosing to support original art over mass production—investing in work that carries depth, intention, and a distinct creative voice.
Framed vs. Canvas: Choosing Your Print Format
With multiple sizing options, you can scale the collection to fit your vision—whether it’s a single centerpiece or a curated wall of moments. Our primary print options are as follows:
Framed Prints : Crafted on archival matte paper, framed prints arrive ready-to-hang, offering a clean, timeless look. Ideal for smaller spaces like entryways, bedrooms, or office walls where precision and polish matter.
Canvas Prints : For those who want to make a statement, canvas prints bring the shoreline to life with tactile depth and gallery-wrapped edges. Perfect for larger spaces such as living rooms, studios, or open loft walls.
Limited editions, including signed prints, will be rolled out in the coming months - with live immersive events to match.
Now, for the first time, you can bring that same spirit into your own space.
Limited-edition landscape photography prints from the collection are available in both framed and canvas formats.
Each print carries the essence of the shoreline—reflecting the ocean as both muse and mirror.
Bring the energy of “tide & sol” into your space.
Explore framed and canvas landscape photography prints now.
[5/5]: the sequel to “tide & sol” & sol”
Thank you for reading the writeup on “tide & sol”!
Our next audiovisual exhibit is scheduled for October 18 - Save The Date!