Originally from Kyoto, Mika Horie, a photographer, studied in Kyoto and London. Horie's works involve handcrafting washi (Japanese paper) from gampi (bark from the paper mulberry tree) and using the cyanotype process to capture nature's changing scenes. Horie's works, which combine classical photographic techniques using sunlight exposure with handcrafted washi rooted in the local region, embody beauty, transience, and strength. The rich tonal variations of blue offer a depth and nostalgia that allows viewers to forget cultural differences and the passage of time. Moreover, by allocating a substantial part of the production time to the intricate and time-consuming process—from gathering gampi in the local vicinity to processing fibers, engaging in papermaking, and concluding with pressing and drying—Horie raises awareness about the rampant mass consumption in modern society and the ongoing environmental degradation.