Lavender Harvest Monsoon Dawn Totonicapán

Soft overcast light washes the freshly irrigated lavender rows near Totonicapán during monsoon season. Workers in practical rain gear move along the wet soil, cutting fragrant purple stalks with sickles. A thick layer of light fog rests on the ground, obscuring the lower stems while leaving the taller plants visible. In the center of the field, a porcelain teacup scaled to the size of a swimming pool rests on the earth, its white rim gleaming against the dark earth. The cup's interior holds a small pool of water reflecting the grey sky. Rows of lavender recede into the distance, creating layers of depth that fade into the mist. Water droplets bead on the petals and run down the massive ceramic curves of the cup. One shadow from the cup's handle stretches across the wet soil toward the horizon.