The Hyde Art Gallery is excited to announce our next exhibition of Spring 2026, “Second Nature,” an exhibition of photographs by San Diego-based photographer Alfred Pagano.
Showcasing images drawn from Pagano’s photography book of the same name, this exhibition
explores the complex relationships between animals, humans, and the environments we
share. Through a series of striking black and white photographs, Pagano reflects on
how the natural world continually adapts to human influence, and how animals, whether
dead or alive, can reveal deeper truths about the social and environmental conditions
that shape our world.
Pagano describes nature as something constantly in flux - living systems that either
adapt and survive, or disappear. In contrast, what he refers to as “Second Nature”
is the human-made world, the landscapes and environments profoundly altered by our
actions. Within this space, animals become powerful subjects, reflecting the ways
humans use, control, and coexist with other living beings.
Photographed across regions including Southern California and neighboring Mexico,
the images also reflect the unique geography and cultural dynamics of the San Diego
- Tijuana border region, an international conurbation where distinct worlds exist
in close proximity while remaining deeply interconnected.
Links to our social media and to sign up for the Hyde Art Gallery mailing list are below. If you have any questions, please reach out anytime to gallery director Alex DeCosta, alex.decosta@gcccd.edu