萨尔顿海（Salton Sea）于1905年因灌溉渠决口意外形成，持续两年的洪水造就了这一湖泊。自20世纪90年代以来，随着湖水蒸发和农业回流的持续影响，湖中的盐度不断上升。期间，人类陆续引入包括海水生物在内的多种水生物种，希望改善生态环境，但过高的盐分最终导致生态系统崩溃，并引发了周边野生动物的大量死亡。如今，萨尔顿海主要依靠农业径流维持存在，而它的形成与演变，与美国南加州的经济以及城市发展密不可分。
出于对萨尔顿海的形成及其历史的兴趣，我曾多次前往进行田野调查。最打动我的情景是湖边一望无际的由水生生物遗骸组成的白色沙滩，它们的存在提醒着探访者此地充满生机的过去。作为生活在城市中的现代人，我习惯了在既定好的结构下发展生息，将日常的资源消耗视作理所应当，接受它们的供养。在萨尔顿海的所见对我而言是一种提示，一种唤醒，一种个体与环境之间的隐喻。随着时间的推移和自然的侵蚀作用，这些遗骸终会被逐渐分解，它们的存在连同这片湖泊也会变为时间长河里的一瞬，我通过影像保留了这些遗骸现在的样貌，它们至今都是脆弱并且从来未被人察觉的，我思考着它们曾经的归属，制作出一部来自过去的群像。
The Salton Sea was accidentally formed in 1905 due to the breach of an irrigation canal, with two years of flooding creating the lake. Since the 1990s, the salinity of the lake has steadily increased due to evaporation and agricultural runoff. Over the years, humans have introduced various aquatic species, including marine organisms, in an attempt to improve the ecosystem. However, the excessive salinity ultimately caused the ecosystem to collapse, resulting in widespread die-offs of surrounding wildlife. Today, the Salton Sea relies mainly on agricultural runoff to maintain its existence, and its formation and evolution are inextricably linked to the economic and urban development of Southern California.
Driven by an interest in the formation and history of the Salton Sea, I have visited the area multiple times for field research. The most striking scene for me is the vast white shoreline composed of the remains of aquatic life, a poignant reminder of the area's once-thriving vitality. As a modern urban dweller, I am accustomed to living within pre-determined structures, taking the consumption of daily resources for granted and accepting their provision without question. What I witnessed at the Salton Sea serves as a reminder, an awakening, and a metaphor for the relationship between individuals and the environment. Over time, and under the forces of natural erosion, these remains will eventually decompose, their existence—along with the lake—becoming but a fleeting moment in the river of time. Through photography, I preserved the current appearance of these remains. They are fragile and have long gone unnoticed, prompting me to reflect on their past origins and to create a collective portrait of a bygone era.